Physics 222 - Modern Physics

(Texas A&M University, Fall 2017)



Homepage for Section 500



   Announcements (updated regularly)



   Lectures

    Tue+Thu 05:30-06:45pm
    Room: MPHY 205
    1st class: Tue Aug 29, last class: Tue Dec 05 (Thanksgiving Holiday Nov 23+24)



  Course Instructor

     Dr. Ralf Rapp
    Office        : Cyclotron CYCL-329
    Office-Hrs : Mon+Tue+Fri 10-11am, or by appointment
    Phone       : 845-1411 (ext. 226)
    E-mail       : rapp@comp.tamu.edu
 

   Teaching Assistant

    The TA listed below is mostly responsible for grading HW and exams, and answering pertinent questions.
    Appointments with her should be scheduled via email.

      Sect.500
      Meghan Homan
      E-mail:  meghoman521881@tamu.edu



    Required Material

     1.)  PRE-REQUISITE:
       PHYS-218 (Electricity and Magnetism) and enrollment in MATH-308 (Differential Equations)

     2.)  TEXTBOOK:
       The course will be based on the book
      Modern Physics, 3rd edition, by Serway, Moses and Moyer.
        In particular, the HW problems will be assigned from this book.


     Scope and Learning Outcomes

    The course will provide an introduction to basic phenomena, ideas, concepts and theoretical
    tools of Modern Physics, including: Special relativity and relativistic kinematics; quantization
    of electromagnetic radiation; quantum models of the atom; matter waves, uncertainty principle
    and particle-wave duality; quantum mechanics in one dimension and wave functions.
    Upon the completion of this course, the student will understand basic physical laws governing
    the microscopic world, be able to apply them to pertinent physical situations and problems,
    quantitatively solve them using algebraic and calculus methods, and interpret the results.
    The course will also hone critical thinking, systematic problem-solving skills and science
    communication skills.

   

    Course Grade

    The total course grade is decomposed as follows:

  • Final Exam (comprehensive): 40%

  • 3 Midterm Exams:   15% each

  • Homework :   15%

    If the final-exam grade is better than the worst (non-zero) midterm exam grade, the former will
    replace the latter.
    The conversion of the total numerical grade to letter grade will follow the standard key of:
    A: 90-100%, B: 80-89%, C: 70-79%, D: 60-69% and F: <60%.
    A re-adjustment of the boundaries may occur, but should not be expected.
    The academic student rules can be found here, specifically rule 7 for excused university absences.

    
 

   Exams

    The exams are closed book; the 3 midterm exams are held during the standard class hours (midterms)
    and the official final-exam date, as indicated below. You should only bring a pen and pocket calculator
    capable of evaluating trigonometric functions (sin, cos, tan) and logarithms/exponentials.

       SCHEDULE :
    Midterm 1: Sept 21 in class, material covered: Chaps. 1+2
    Midterm 2: Oct 19 in class, material covered: Chaps. 3+4
    Midterm 3: Nov 21 in class, material covered: Chaps. 5-7
    FINAL:     Wed Dec 13 (3:30-5:30pm), material covered: comprehensive (Chaps. 1-7, 13)

 
 

    Notes on Lectures

    Attendance in the lectures, as well as taking notes of the material presented, is mandatory.
    Furthermore, you are responsible for all announcements made in class (including information
    on exam coverage, etc.). The material discussed in the lectures, together with the homework
    problems, essentially defines the scope of the exams. Formula sheets to be used in the exams
    are handed out in the lectures prior to the exams (this will allow you to get acquainted with
    notation ahead of the exams).
 
 

    Notes on Homework (HW)

    Homework assignments will be given approximately every 7-10 days, and are due at the
    beginning of class on the due date. The assignments will be posted under "Announcements"
    at the top of this webpage. Late hand-ins must be made in person to the course instructor (in
    his office), and are penalized by 20% for each day late. Collaborative work and discussions
    are encouraged, but no more than 2 students can hand in the written-out solutions together
    (which must include the work/reasoning to get there for full credit); both students must be
    fully aware and capable of solving the entire solution set, as the HW problems constitute an
    integral part of the exam problems. Questions can be addressed to your course instructor or
    teaching assistant, who will be happy to help (preferably during office hours).

 
 

    Strategy

    To pass the course, you will have to keep up with the material of the course by regularly
    attending the lectures and thoroughly working through the weekly HW problems (which,
    in turn, provides optimal preparation for exams). Otherwise, pile-up of not understood
    material is likely to lead to a failing grade.


    AGGIE Honor Code and Academic Integrity

    An Aggie does not lie, cheat, or steal or tolerate those who do.
    Also see http://aggiehonor.tamu.edu/
    Any type of cheating (copying homework or during exams, etc.) is strictly prohibited
    and seriously penalized.
 
 

    ADA Statement

    The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination
   statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with
   disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students
   with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for
   reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a
   disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services ,
   currently located in the Disability Services building at the Student Services
   at White Creek complex on west campus.
   All information and documentation concerning disability is kept confidential.
 


 

      Despite all the above regulations and rules (which are needed for a fair assessment
      of your grades), we hope that you will enjoy this course, and that you will achieve
      knowledge that will be both helpful in your further career and provide deeper insights
     into daily life encounters with physics!
      If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact your course/
      recitation instructors who shall be glad to help you!