Course syllabus for Quantum physics

Course syllabus adopted 2022-02-02 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameKvantfysik
  • CodeFUF040
  • Credits6 Credits
  • OwnerTKTFY
  • Education cycleFirst-cycle
  • Main field of studyChemical Engineering with Engineering Physics, Engineering Physics
  • DepartmentPHYSICS
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language Swedish
  • Application code 57114
  • Maximum participants170
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsNo

Credit distribution

0106 Written and oral assignments 6 c
Grading: TH		6 c0 c0 c0 c0 c0 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for bachelor's level (first cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

The same as for the programme that owns the course.
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

You should have studied the basic courses in mathematics and mechanics.

Aim

The aims of this first course are that participants should become familiar with the fundamental principles and experimental necessity of quantum mechanics, as well as develop the basic knowledge that will be built upon in subsequent courses. Participants will acquire the mathematical and conceptual tools needed to describe physical systems quantum-mechanically, and then apply these tools to generate predictions of practically relevant quantum-mechanical phenomena. It also aims to bring out the connections between quantum-mechanical concepts and classical physics, chemistry, and technological applications. The emphasis is on problem solving.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

  • Describe quantum-mechanical systems using quantum states, wavefunctions and probability amplitudes.
  • Predict particle motion in one-dimensional and three-dimensional (spherically symmetric) potentials, including the "particle in a box", the harmonic oscillator, and the hydrogen atom.
  • Explain quantum-mechanical phenomena in terms of wavefunction collapse, interference and the uncertainty principle.

 

Content

  1. Experimental background: why do we need quantum mechanics?
  2. Probability and probability amplitudes
  3. States and wavefunctions
  4. Position and momentum operators, the Hamiltonian
  5. Measurement and expectation values
  6. Time-independent and time-dependent Schrödinger equations
  7. Free particles
  8. One-dimensional potentials: bound states, scattering and tunnelling
  9. The harmonic oscillator
  10. Time-independent perturbation theory
  11. Rotations, angular momentum and spin
  12. The hydrogen atom

Organisation

Lectures and problem sessions.

Literature

"Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" by David J. Griffiths

Examination including compulsory elements

Hand-in problems (20% x 3), compulsory written test (40%), and optional oral exam. To pass you must achieve at least 40% of the total points available both in the hand-ins and test, separately.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.