Physics 310: Quantum Mechanics

Instructor Jeffrey A. Collett

Office: Youngchild 108

Telephone X-7014

Required Text: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics, Second Edition, David J. Griffiths, Pearson Prentice Hall (2005).

Supplemental Reading: The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Volume III

Class meetings: MWF 8:30, Youngchild 115

Office Hours: Tuesday/Thursday 9:00-11:00 or by appointment

Prerequisites: Physics 160, 225, Math 210

Introduction

Non-relativistic quantum mechanics describes the behavior of matter on the atomic scale, where the wavelike nature of electrons becomes important. In Physics 160, you completed a descriptive survey of quantum phenomena, where we qualitatively examined the quantum world. In Physics 310, you will learn the basics of how to do calculations in quantum mechanics. Since the quantum realm is not immediately sensible to us, you build intuition about the quantum world through solving problems. The focus of the course will be to learn the formal mathematical apparatus of quantum mechanics and to become comfortable with its use. To that end, you’ll be solving roughly four problems in association with each class period. We will defer discussion of the thorny issues of what quantum mechanics means until the final period of the term when we discuss Bell’s theorem and the collapse of the quantum wave function.

Class Elements

• The Text: Read the relevant sections of the text prior to lecture. Griffiths text is clear and well written, but it is not mean to be skimmed. You must read actively to get the most out of the text. Since a major goal of this course is to master the mathematical structure of quantum mechanics, it’s important to follow all the mathematical arguments in the text. That will require filling in the steps in many of the derivations presented in the reading. While reading Feynman is not required, I will periodically identify sections that you can read to get another perspective on the topic of the day. Feynman has an excellent ability to present sophisticated ideas in an informal way, so if you’re having difficulty with Griffiths, Feynman may be able to help.
• Lectures: The lectures will highlight important features in the reading and augment certain topics.
• Homework: This is a course about making predictions in quantum mechanics. Completing the assigned problems is essential. To encourage you to keep up with problems, I will collect them at the beginning of each class. Problems are due at the second class meeting following their appearance in the syllabus. As an example, the problems appearing on Sept 26 are due at the beginning of class on Oct. 1. If we get ahead or fall behind, I’ll make adjustments on a day by day basis.
• Exams: There will be two one-hour exams and a final. The final exam will be cumulative.

Grading:

• Homework 25%
• Hour Exams 20% each
• Final Exam 35%

The homework problems are the most important element of this class.

Honor Code:

I expect you to present your own work on the hour examinations and the final examination. In contrast, you are encouraged to work together on the homework assignments but are expected to write up your own assignments. Working together to solve the problems can be a valuable learning aid. I establish only two ground rules. First, working together is most effective if all individuals contribute more or less equally to the group effort. You should be very wary if you are always on the receiving end in such effort, for ultimately you need to perform on your own. At the very least, once you have finished solving an exercise in a group, make sure that you can solve a similar exercise yourself. Second, where substantial help has been received through conversation with another, I ask that you follow common scientific courtesy and acknowledge that help briefly in your submitted work.

Lecture Plan

	Sept 26 Read: Ch. 1: 1-20 Prob: 1.2, 1.3,1.5, 1.7, 1.9	Sept 28 Ch.1 The Wave Function Prob: 1.12, 1.14 1.15, 1.18 Supp Reading: Feynman III.1
Oct 1 Chapter 2: Wave Mechanics Read: 24-40 Prob: 2.1,2.2,2.4,2.5,2.7	Oct 3 Ch. 2: Simple Harmonic Motion Read 41-50 Prob: 2.10,2.11,2.12, 2.13, 2.14	Oct 5 Ch. 2: SHO Read 51-59 Prob: 2.16
Oct 8 Ch. 2: Free Particle Read 59-67 Prob: 2.19, 2.20, 2.22 a,b,c	Oct 10 Ch 2: Delta Function Read 68-78 Prob: 2.23, 2.24, 2.26, 2.27	Oct 12 Ch 2: Finite Well Read: 78-84 Prob: 2.29, 2.34,2.38 ,2.43 a,b
Oct 15 Ch 3: Quantum Formalism Read 95-100 Prob: 3.2, 3.3, 3.5, 3.6 (due Fri.)	Oct 17 10 HOUR EXAM	Oct 19 Ch: 3: Read: 100-109 Prob: 3.7, 3.8, 3.10, 3.12
Oct 22 Ch 3: Uncertainty Principle Read 110-118 Prob: 3.13,3.14,3.17,3.39	Oct 24 Ch 3: Dirac Notation Read 118-124 Prob: 3.22, 3.23, 3.24, 3.31	Oct 26 Ch 4: Schrod. Eq.-Spherical form Read: 131-144 Prob: 4.1,4.2,4.3,4.5,
Oct 29 Ch 4: Hydrogen Read: 145-160 Prob: 4.10,4.11,4.12,4.13, 4.16	Oct 31 Ch 4: Angular Momentum Read: 160-170 Prob: 4.18,4.19,4.21,4.22,4.24	Nov 2 Midterm Reading Period
Nov 5 Ch 4: Spin Read: 171-178 Prob: 4.26,4.27,4.28, 4.29, 4.31	Nov 7 Ch 4: Spin Read 178-189 Prob: 4.33,4.34,4.36, 4.38	Nov 9 Prob: 4.42, 4.59, 4.60(due Wed.)
Nov 12 20 HOUR EXAM	Nov 14 Ch 5: Identical Particles Read: 201-210 Prob: 5.1,5.2,5.4,5.6	Nov 16 Ch 5: Identical Particles Read: 210-229 Prob: 5.11,5.12,5.16,
Nov 19 Ch 6: Time Ind. Perturbation Th. Read:249-266 Prob: 6.1, 6.2,6.3, 6.4	Nov 21 Thanksgiving Recess	Nov 23 Thanksgiving Recess
Nov 26 Ch 6: Time Ind. Pert. Th. Read: 266-285 Prob: 6.7,6.8,6.9, 6.10	Nov 28 Ch 6: Time Ind Pert Th. Prob: 6.12, 6.16,6.17,6.21,	Nov 30 Ch 6: Time Ind. Pert.Th. Prob: 6.28, 6.31
Dec 3 Ch 9: Time dependent Pert. Read: 340-348 Prob: 9.1,9.2, 9.5,9.7	Dec 5 Ch 9: Time dependent Pert. Read: 348-363 Prob:9.11, 9.18	Dec 7 Ch 12: Bell’s Theorem & Other stuff