Quantum and Thermal Physics

(Second in a three-part series: PHYSICS 61, PHYSICS 71, PHYSICS 81.) This course introduces the foundations of quantum mechanics and thermodynamics to students with a strong high school mathematics and physics background, who are contemplating a major in Physics or Engineering Physics or are interested in a rigorous treatment of physics. Topics related to quantum mechanics include: atoms, electrons, and nuclei. Experimental evidence for physics that is not explained by classical mechanics and E&M. Quantization of light, Planck's constant. Photoelectric effect, Compton and Bragg scattering. Bohr model, atomic spectra. Matter waves, wave packets, interference. Fourier analysis and transforms, Heisenberg uncertainty relationships. Particle-in-a-box, simple harmonic oscillator, barrier penetration, tunneling. Topics related to thermodynamics: limitations of classical mechanics in describing systems with a very large number of particles. Ideal gas, equipartition, heat capacity, the definition of temperature, entropy. A brief introduction to kinetic theory and statistical mechanics. Maxwell speed distribution, ideal gas in a box. Laws of thermodynamics. Cycles, heat engines, free energy. Prerequisites: Physics 61 and (Math 51 or Math 61CM). Corequisite: MATH 52 or 62CM. This course was offered as PHYSICS 65 prior to Academic Year 2022-2023.