Course Syllabus
Course: PHYS 2710
Division: Natural Science and Math
Department: Physics
Title: Introductory Modern Physics
Semester Approved: Spring 2022
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2026
End Semester: Fall 2027
Catalog Description: This course is an introduction to modern, or 20th century physics. PHYS 2710 is required for Physics majors, recommended for Chemistry majors and some engineering majors. Topics covered include relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics, solid state physics, and cosmology.
Semesters Offered: Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 3; Lecture: 3; Lab: 0
Prerequisites: PHYS 2220 (or concurrently)
Justification: This course is an important component of the curriculum for Physics majors in the first two years. It is also recommended for other majors such as Chemistry as preparation for upper division content. This course will transfer to most USHE institutions on a case-by-case basis. It is also an elective course for the Software Engineering program at Snow.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will know the important scientific laws and principles in 20th century physics. This will be assessed through quizzes and tests.
Students will also understand that science is a process to gain knowledge. This will be assessed through class discussions or student presentations.
Students will be able to solve paper-and-pencil physics problems and apply them to real life. This will be assessed through assigned homework problems.
Content:
Care will be taken to emphasize the contributions to physics of historically underrepresented groups.1. Review of classical physics and outstanding problemsa. Waves and particlesb. Laws of conservationc. Problemsi. Electromagnetic mediumii. Blackbody radiationiii. Ultraviolet catastrophe2. Special relativitya. Michelson-Morley experimentb. Einstein’s postulatesc. Lorentz transformationd. Time dilation, length contractione. Spacetime invariantsf. Twin paradoxg. Relativistic momentum and energy3. Origins and evidence for quantum theorya. Blackbody radiationb. Photoelectric effectc. Compton effect4. Atomic structurea. Models of Thomson and Rutherfordb. Bohr modelc. X-ray spectra5. Wave properties of mattera. De Broglie wavesb. Probability and wave functionc. Uncertainty principle6. Quantum Theorya. Schrödinger wave equationb. Square well potentialc. Simple harmonic oscillatord. Barriers and tunneling7. Hydrogen atoma. Solution to Schrödinger equationb. Quantum numbersc. Magnetic effectsd. Spin8. Many-electron atomsa. Periodic tableb. Angular momentum9. Statistical physicsa. Maxwell velocity distributionsb. Equipartition theoremc. Classical and quantum statistics10. Molecules and solidsa. Molecular bondingb. Stimulated emission and lasersc. Superconductivityd. Band theory, semiconductors11. Nuclear physicsa. Radioactive decayb. Fission, fusion12. Elementary particlesa. Fundamental forcesb. Conservation laws and symmetriesc. Quarksd. Standard model and unification13. General relativitya. Principle of equivalenceb. Gravity as bent spacetimec. Black holes14. Cosmologya. Big Bangb. Stellar evolutionc. Age and future of the universe15. Unificationa. String theory
Key Performance Indicators:
Homework 15 to 30%
Quizzes 5 to 25%
Term Paper 0 to 15%
Participation 0 to 10%
Exams 20 to 40%
Comprehensive Final Exam 15 to 30%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers, by Thornton and Rex, current or recent edition.
Pedagogy Statement:
The course will be taught in a seminar/discussion format with students asking and answering lots of questions. Inclusive and high-impact strategies will be used, such as group work on in-class quizzes and student presentations to the class. Students will be encouraged to actively participate in both in-class and out-of-class activities. All students will get many opportunities to guide discussions and ask questions. Students will be expected to come to class prepared by reading the textbook.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Maximum Class Size: 24
Optimum Class Size: 12
