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SH1012 Modern Physics 8.0 credits

Information per course offering

Choose semester and course offering to see current information and more about the course, such as course syllabus, study period, and application information.

Termin

Information for Spring 2025 Start 14 Jan 2025 programme students

Course location

AlbaNova

Duration
14 Jan 2025 - 2 Jun 2025
Periods
P3 (2.0 hp), P4 (6.0 hp)
Pace of study

25%

Application code

60591

Form of study

Normal Daytime

Language of instruction

Swedish

Course memo
Course memo is not published
Number of places

Places are not limited

Target group
No information inserted
Planned modular schedule
[object Object]
Schedule
Schedule is not published

Contact

Examiner
No information inserted
Course coordinator
No information inserted
Teachers
No information inserted
Contact

Ayse Nyberg (ayseatac@kth.se)

Course syllabus as PDF

Please note: all information from the Course syllabus is available on this page in an accessible format.

Course syllabus SH1012 (Spring 2022–)
Headings with content from the Course syllabus SH1012 (Spring 2022–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

The experimental foundations of modern physics: Elementary relativity theory. The Michelson-Morely experiment. Einstein's theory of special relativity. Length contraction. Time dialation. Elementary quantum physics. Planck's radiation law. X-ray radiation and spectra. Rutherford's atomic model. Atomic structure. Bohr's atomic model. Atomic energy levels. Nuclear structure. Radioactive decay. Matter waves. Wave packets and the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle. Wave-particle duality.

Quantum mechanics: the foundations of quantum mechanics. Introduction to operators. The Schrödinger equation applied to simple potentials. Interpretation of wave functions. Plane wave solutions. The harmonic oscillator. Angular momentum and spin. The hydrogen atom and the periodic table. The Pauli principle.

Applications to physical phenomena: (including) the photoelectric effect, the Compton effect, X-ray diffraction, particle diffraction, the Stark effect, the Zeeman effect. Applications within science and technology (including) tunneling, the tunneling electron microscope, the Stern-Gerlach experiment, the atomic nucleus, the helium atom, simple molecules. The building blocks of matter: particles and their interactions.

Intended learning outcomes

After completing this course a student should be able to:

  • Explain the scientific basis of modern physics, as defined by the course syllabus.  
  • Set up and perform relativistic calculations for simple cases and quantum mechanical calculations on simple systems
  • Apply quantum mechanical principles to scientific and technical applications
  • Report on practical experience concerning experimental methods within modern physics
  • Complete a simple research project with a modern physics focus as part of a small group

Literature and preparations

Specific prerequisites

Completed course SK1108 or equivalent.

Recommended prerequisites

Courses in physics (or equivalent): SI1121/SK1119, SK1108, ED1110, and SI1200; courses in mathematics (or equivalent): SF1624, SF1625, SF1626, and  SF1920.

Equipment

No information inserted

Literature

No information inserted

Examination and completion

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Grading scale

A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Examination

  • LAB1 - Laboratories, 1.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • PRO1 - Project, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • TEN1 - Examination, 5.5 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

Written examination (5.5 hp)

Laboratory exercises with written reports (1 hp)

Project work (1.5 hp)

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

No information inserted

Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

Yes

Examiner

Ethical approach

  • All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
  • In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
  • In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

Further information

Course room in Canvas

Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.

Offered by

Main field of study

Technology

Education cycle

First cycle

Add-on studies

No information inserted

Contact

Ayse Nyberg (ayseatac@kth.se)