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About course

SH1011 Modern Physics 7.5 credits

Administer Aboute course

Welcome to SH1011 Modern Physics! More information about this years course round can be found on its Canvas page (in Swedish).

Choose semester and course offering

Choose semester and course offering to see information from the correct course syllabus and course offering.

Headings with content from the Course syllabus SH1011 (Autumn 2010–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )

Content and learning outcomes

Course contents

Background for modern experimental physics. Relativity theory. De Broglie waves. Wave packets and the Heisenbergs uncertainty principle. Wave-particle-dualism. Internal structure of the atom and Bohr’s model  Elementary quantum physics. Foundations of quantum mechanics. The Schrödinger equation applied to simple potentials and boundary conditions. Interpretation of wave functions. Plane waves. Harmonical oscillators. Angular momentum and spin. The Hydrogen atom and the table of the elements. The Pauli principle. Planck’s radiation law. X-rays and their spectra. Structure of the nuclei. Radioactive decay. The photoelectric effect, x-ray diffraction, electron diffraction and the Zeeman effect. Quantum physics applications to science and technology such as electron microscopy Stern-Gerlach’s experiment, simple molecules and the solid state. Insulators, conductors and semiconductors. Applications of modern physics in medical imaging and radiation therapy.

Intended learning outcomes

After completing the course you should be able to

  • Outline the scientific foundation for modern physics according the Course Main Content
  • Perform quantum mechanical calculation for simple systems
  • Apply quantum mechanical principles in science and technology
  • Outline the most important experimental methods in modern physics

Course disposition

No information inserted

Literature and preparations

Specific prerequisites

Basic calculus, algebra and mechanics.

Recommended prerequisites

No information inserted

Equipment

No information inserted

Literature

University Physics with Modern Physics by Hugh D. Young and Roger A. Freedman ISBN-10: 080532187X     ISBN-13:  9780805321876

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 - Laboratory Work, 1.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
  • TEN1 - Examination, 6.0 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.

Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination

No information inserted

Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination

Yes

Examiner

Profile picture Mats Persson

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 web

Further information about the course can be found on the Course web at the link below. Information on the Course web will later be moved to this site.

Course web SH1011

Offered by

SCI/Physics

Main field of study

Technology

Education cycle

First cycle

Add-on studies

No information inserted

Contact

Mats Persson (mats.persson@mi.physics.kth.se)