Instructor: 

Prof. Daniel Kaplan

  Preferred pronouns:  he, him

  Office: 

146D Pritzker Science

or 1A8-1 Tech South

Email:

kaplan-at-iit.edu

  Phone: 

312 567-3389

Web page:

http://phys.iit.edu/~kaplan

  Office Hours:  TuTh 10:00–11:00 am or by appointment

Schedule:

Posted here.

Textbook: 

Modern Physics, Serway, Moses, and Moyer, 3^rd Ed. (Thomson, Brooks/Cole, 2005).  Please read the material listed in the schedule prior to the lecture.  The more familiar you are with the material, even if it doesn’t entirely make sense to you at first, the more sense the lectures will make.  Students are responsible for the material listed in the syllabus, even if it is not covered in lectures.

Classes: 

MW 10:00 – 11:15 am, 116 PS

Course Content:

Chapters 2–10 and 12–15 of the textbook (excluding the sections marked “optional”):

     •  Einstein’s special theory of relativity.

     •  Blackbody radiation, the Bohr atom, the Schrödinger equation and elementary wave

         mechanics.

     •  Hydrogen atom, atomic spectra, multi-electron atoms, and introduction to solid-state physics.

     •  Nuclear and particle physics.

Course Objectives:

1.     Understand wave–particle duality and the uncertainty principle.

2.     Understand the Schrödinger equation and its solutions for simple potentials.

3.     Understand the exact solution for the hydrogen atom and how it is extended to multi-electron atoms.

4.     Understand the differences between fermions and bosons and their statistics.

5.     Demonstrate an understanding of two applications of quantum mechanics.

6.     Demonstrate competence in solving simple quantum mechanical problems.

Homework: 

Homework will typically be assigned every week and will be collected at the beginning of class.  Late homework will not be accepted.

 Note:  Although only a small percentage of your grade, the homework is very important.

Working problems is the main learning experience in physics and (if done effectively) is the

best way to prepare for the exams.  To be an effective learning experience, the problems should be solved with the book closed and without advice from others or from the web.  But, if you don’t understand how to solve a problem, even after repeated study of the text and lecture material, it’s a good idea to ask for help, from fellow students, faculty (e.g., myself), or the ARC.  Then try again to solve the problem, without notes and with the book closed.  If you can do this, then you’ve understood the material.

Grading: 

The percentage weighting for each component of the grade will be as follows:

•       Homework, 10%;

•       Quizzes, 5%;

•       Class participation (including presentations to the class), 10%;

•       Two midterm exams, 15% each;

•       Final exam (comprehensive), 45%.

Class participation:

§  It is important to ask questions if or when you do not understand something (e.g., a step in a problem solution).  I cannot tell whether or not you understand the material.  You have to let me know.  Please contact me if you feel you are getting lost or behind.  Sometimes questions can be resolved with an email; at other times it may be necessary to meet face-to-face.  I am happy to make appointments outside of my office hours, and I check my email many times a day (even on weekends).

Exams: 

Exams will be closed-book and closed-notes, with simple scientific calculators provided to you.  An equation sheet will be provided as part of the exam.  Exams may be rescheduled only for verified medical cause, verified bereavement, or verified University activity conflicts.

Important

Dates: 

    •  Sept 1 – Last day to add or drop a course, change sections, etc.

    •  Oct 29 – Last day for official withdrawal

    •  Nov 28 – Last class

    •  Dec 5 – Final exam, 116 PS, 8:00–10:00 am

Attendance

Policy:

Please notify me by email before class if you must be late or absent.  You remain responsible for material and homework from any class you miss.

Academic honesty notice:

As described in the IIT Code of Academic Honesty, academic honesty is required and any instances of dishonesty will be reported to academichonesty-at-iit.edu and dealt with severely.  A first violation will result in a grade of zero for that assignment.  A subsequent violation will result in failure of the course.

Disability notice:

Reasonable accommodations will be made for students with documented disabilities.  In order to receive such accommodations, students must obtain a letter of accommodation from the Center for Disability Resources, located in 3424 S. State St., room 1C3-2 (on the 1st floor); phone: 312 567-5744; email: disabilities-at-iit.edu.