Syllabus

Electromagnetic waves

Wave equation and Maxwell's equations (YF 32.1-5)
EM wave equation, Poynting vector (YF 32.1-5)
Reflection, refraction, dispersion, polarization, scattering, Huygen's Principle (YF 33.1-7)

Geometric and Physical Optics

Mirrors, images, reflecting surfaces, thin lenses, optical instruments (YF 34.1-8)
Interference, diffraction, holography (YF 35.1-5, 36.1-8)

Special relativity

Reference frames, Galilean relativity, experimental contradictions (OH 1.1-7)
Einstein's postulates, synchronization, spacetime diagrams (OH 2.1-3)
Spacetime interval, Lorentz transformation, kinematics (OH 2.3-6)
Time dilation, relativistic Doppler shift, length contraction (OH 3.1-4)
Twin paradox, pole-in-barn paradox, other paradoxes (OH 3.5-6)
Electromagnetism in relativity (OH 6.1-4)

Quantum mechanics

Line spectra, blackbody radiation, photoelectric effect, Compton scattering (YF 38.1,3,8,2,7)
de Broglie wavelength, electron diffraction, Rutherford atom, double-slit experiment, Bell inequalities and entanglement (YF 39.1,2,38.4,9,39.3)
The Schroedinger equation, wells, barriers, oscillators (YF 39.5,40.1-4)
H atom, angular momentum, Zeeman effect, spin, (YF 41.1-3)

Prerequisites and corequisites

Prerequisite: Physics 161. Pre- or co-requisite: Math 264.

Grading

There will be four exams, three exams throughout the semester and a final exam. Each exam will contribute 25% to the final grade, with the lowest exam score dropped. The final exam will be a comprehensive exam. No make up exams will be offered. The remaing 25% of the grade will be Homework 15% and iClicker in class quizes 10%. Grades will be based on a curve where the class average will be a high C+. Grades will be posted using the three digit number generated when you register your iClicker.

iClicker quizzes

Responses credited 0/1/2 points for no/incorrect/correct answer. I will ask 5 to 10 questions each day on material from previous lectures, preparatory reading, and presented material. iClickers must be registered before class on Wednesday, Sep. 3; points credited from then forward. CPS technical assistance available from Cathy Webster (webster@unm.edu). You must register your iClicker our PandA site, which will also take you to the iClicker site where you must also register your iClicker.