Modern Physics PHYS 351 Dr. Mahmoud Ahmad Room 1,3 Physics Dep.

Course Description Introduction to Modern Physics. An elementary survey of the modern concepts in physics and their applications: relativity, blackbody radiation, the Bohr atom, particles and waves, quantum mechanics, atoms, molecules, solids, statistical mechanics, radioactivity, nuclei, and elementary particles. “Modern physics is not really concerned with ‘things,’ but with the mathematical relations between certain abstractions which are the residue of the vanished things.”—A. Koestler

Text The text is Concepts of Modern Physics, sixth edition, by Arthur Beiser, McGraw ‑ Hill, publisher. This book is designed to follow the standard semester introductory, calculus ‑ based, classical physics course. An understanding of the concepts of calculus is prerequisite. The necessary differential equations and wave mechanics are explained as needed.

Schedule Modern Physics 351 meets from 10:00-1:00 Monday. There are scheduled test and midterm examinations: Comprehensive Final Examination See the syllabus for other important staff.

The quizzes and midterm examinations are …20 points each. They will cover concepts and definitions, assigned problems with minor numerical changes, and problems similar to those assigned. You may use any calculator containing any information you want.

The final examination will consist of multiple choice questions and multiple choice short problems, and is 40 points. About 100% of the final exam will be taken from the chapters we have been covered.

Homework The homework for this course consists of problems and examples from the text. Specific homework assignments are given later. Homework is "due" (i.e., quizzable) after the last lecture for each chapter. Homework will be handed in. Nevertheless, the homework is critical, because your mastery of quizzes and hour exams will depend upon your mastery of the homework. If you don't do the homework, you won't do well on the quizzes and on the exams. Because this is a survey course, we will review many topics in a relatively short time. You are urged to form a study group to help you master the large amount of material covered in this course.

Quizzes quizzes will be given during the semester. The quizzes will test your comprehension of recently assigned lecture material and homework. Each quiz will be worth 5 points. Quizzes will not necessarily be announced in advance. Numerical constants and equations required for the quizzes will be given to you with each quiz. The quizzes are closed-book, closed-notes, but you may use any calculator you wish.

Actions To Avoid  Not reading this syllabus.  Not doing the homework, and then complaining because you can't do the quizzes and exams.

Course Material on the Web Good Luck