STRUCTURE OF THE MATTER

The course has the aim of describing the most important experiments and models that allowed the birth of modern physics and quantum mechanics.

The course will be taught through lectures in the classroom and will take advantage of several excercises to better comprehend the different subjects.

Should the circumstances require online or blended teaching, appropriate
modifications to what is hereby stated may be introduced, in order to
achieve the main objectives of the course.

 

Electrons & Photons: Millikan experiments - photoelectric effect - Compton effect - blackbody radiation - X-ray diffraction

Atoms: Brownian motion, Rutherford scattering, Bohr atom, Schroedinger equation - De Broglie wavelength - Uncertainty principle - tunnel effect - Hydrogen atom - Helium atom - Spin - Complex atoms

Molecules:  Bi-atomic molecules - Born Oppenheimer approximation - Raman effect

Quantum statistics: Fermi-Dirac statistics - Bose Einstein statistics - Fermi gas - Bose-Einstein condensation

[1] J. J. Brehm e W. Mullin, Introduction to the Structure of Matter, John Wiley (1989).

[2] R. Eisberg e R. Resnick, Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids  & Nuclei, J. Wiley

[3] G. Herzberg, Atomic spectra and atomic structure, Dover Books on Physics

[4] W. Demtroeder, Atoms, molecules and photons, Springer

[5] C. Kittel e H. Kroemer, Thermal Physics, Freeman & Co.

[6] B. Cagnac, Modern Atomic Physics, J. Wiley

[7] B.H. Brandsen and C.J. Joachain, Physics of atoms and molecules, Longman Scientific & Technical

[8] A.P. French, E.F. Taylor, An Introduction to Quantum Physics, MIT Introductory Physics Series

Exams will have a written and an oral part.

Exams may take place online, depending on circumstances.