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  2. Modern Physics [SCP2211]

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Engineering

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Modern Physics

  • Unit Code

    SCP2211

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit develops an understanding of topics in modern atomic and quantum physics and in heat and thermodynamics.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 unit from SCP1111, SCP1112, SCP2343

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply process and problem solving skills in dealing with conceptual and experimental situations.
  2. Demonstrate proficiency in handling a range of physics equipment associated with modern physics, and heat and thermodynamics.
  3. Describe the nature and development of scientific knowledge as exemplified by the development of quantum mechanics and thermodynamics.
  4. Explain and apply appropriate concepts, principles and theories relating to elementary quantum physics and quantum mechanics and heat and thermodynamics.

Unit Content

  1. HEAT AND THERMODYNAMICS Heat and Thermodynamics: Heat as energy transfer, heat capacity and calorimetry, latent heat, heat transfer - conduction, convection, radiation. The first law of thermodynamics, applications of the first law of thermodynamics, heat capacities of gases and the equipartition of energy. The second law of thermodynamics, heat engines, entropy and probability.
  2. QUANTUM MECHANICS Energy Quantisation: Black body radiation, Planck's radiation curves, Stefan's Law, Wien's displacement Law, classical and Planck theories of cavity radiation. Early Quantum Physics: Photoelectric effect, Compton effect, X-ray production, pair production and annihilation, X-ray diffraction, matter waves, the uncertainty principle. Models of the Atom: Thomson's model, Rutherford's experiment, Rutherford's model, line spectra, Bohr's model. Quantum Mechanics: The Schroedinger equation, wavefunctions and probability densities, expectation values and operators, solutions of Schroedinger's equation, potential wells and barriers, the one-electron atom, identical particles and the Exclusion Principle, many-electron atoms and the periodic table, band theory of solids.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials and laboratory work.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentAssignments20%
Laboratory WorkLaboratory work and reports30%
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%

Text References

  • ^ Serway, R.A., & Jewitt, J.W., Jr. (2010). Physics for scientists and engineers with modern physics (8th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson-Brooks/Cole.
  • Krane, K.S. (1996). Modern physics (2nd ed.). New York: Wiley.
  • Resnick, R., & Halliday, D. (1992). Basic concepts in relativity and early quantum theory (2nd ed.). New York: John Wiley.
  • Thornton, S. T., & Rex, A. (2006). Modern physics for scientists and engineers (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson-Brooks/Cole.
  • Tipler, P.A. (2003). Modern physics (4th ed.). New York: W.H. Freeman.
  • Giancoli, D. C. (2007). Physics for scientists and engineers with modern physics (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
  • Zettili, N. (2009). Quantum Mechanics: Concepts and Applications (2nd ed.). Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Journal References

  • Journal of Chemical Education
  • Nature
  • New Scientist
  • Physics Education
  • Physics Today
  • Science

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCP2211|1|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Engineering

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Modern Physics

  • Unit Code

    SCP2211

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit develops an understanding of topics in modern atomic and quantum physics, relativity, heat and thermodynamics.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 1 unit from SCP1111, SCP1112, SCP2343

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Apply process and problem solving skills in dealing with conceptual and experimental situations.
  2. Demonstrate proficiency in handling a range of physics equipment associated with modern physics, and heat and thermodynamics.
  3. Describe the nature and development of scientific knowledge as exemplified by the development of quantum mechanics and thermodynamics.
  4. Explain and apply appropriate concepts, principles and theories relating to elementary quantum physics and quantum mechanics and heat and thermodynamics.

Unit Content

  1. RELATIVITY: Frames of reference, Newtonian relativity, Galilean transformations, Michelson-Morley experiment, Einstein's postulates, Lorentz transformations, simultaneity, time dilation, twin paradox, length contraction, velocity addition, Doppler effect, relativistic dynamics, energy, mass, momentum, spacetime diagrams, General relativity.
  2. QUANTUM MECHANICS Energy Quantisation: Black body radiation, Planck's radiation curves, Stefan's Law, Wien's displacement Law, classical and Planck theories of cavity radiation. Early Quantum Physics: Photoelectric effect, Compton effect, X-ray production, pair production and annihilation, X-ray diffraction, matter waves, the uncertainty principle. Models of the Atom: Thomson's model, Rutherford's experiment, Rutherford's model, line spectra, Bohr's model. Quantum Mechanics: The Schroedinger equation, wavefunctions and probability densities, expectation values and operators, solutions of Schroedinger's equation, potential wells and barriers, the one-electron atom, identical particles and the Exclusion Principle, many-electron atoms and the periodic table, band theory of solids.
  3. HEAT AND THERMODYNAMICS Heat and Thermodynamics: Heat as energy transfer, heat capacity and calorimetry, latent heat, heat transfer - conduction, convection, radiation. The first law of thermodynamics, applications of the first law of thermodynamics, heat capacities of gases and the equipartition of energy. The second law of thermodynamics, heat engines, entropy and probability.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Discussion sessions, seminars, tutorials and laboratory work.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

Due to the professional competency skill development associated with this Unit, student attendance/participation within listed in-class activities is compulsory. Students failing to meet participation standards as outlined in the unit plan may be awarded an I Grade (Fail - incomplete). Students who are unable to meet this requirement for medical or other reasons must seek the approval of the unit coordinator.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
AssignmentTheory based problem sets30%
Laboratory Work ^Laboratory work and reports *40%
TestIn-class invigilated tests30%

^ Mandatory to Pass
* Assessment item identified for English language proficiency

Text References

  • ^ Serway, R.A., & Jewitt, J.W., Jr. (2015). Physics for scientists and engineers with modern physics (9th ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson-Brooks/Cole.
  • Zettili, N. (2009). Quantum Mechanics: Concepts and Applications (2nd ed.). Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
  • Giancoli, D. C. (2007). Physics for scientists and engineers with modern physics (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
  • Krane, K.S. (1996). Modern physics (2nd ed.). New York: Wiley.
  • Resnick, R., & Halliday, D. (1992). Basic concepts in relativity and early quantum theory (2nd ed.). New York: John Wiley.
  • Thornton, S. T., & Rex, A. (2006). Modern physics for scientists and engineers (3rd ed.). Belmont, CA: Thomson-Brooks/Cole.
  • Tipler, P.A. (2003). Modern physics (4th ed.). New York: W.H. Freeman.

Journal References

  • Science
  • Journal of Chemical Education
  • Nature
  • New Scientist
  • Physics Education
  • Physics Today

^ Mandatory reference

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCP2211|1|2