BSc Physics

Quantum Physics and Relativity

1. To explain the need for and introduce the principles of the Special Theory of Relativity
2. To develop the ability to use the Special Theory of Relativity to solve a variety of  problems in relativistic kinematics and dynamics
3. To explain the need for a Quantum Theory and to introduce the basic ideas of the  theory
4. To develop the ability to apply simple ideas in quantum theory to solve a variety of  physical problems

On completion successful students will be able to:

1. Define the notion of an inertial frame and the concept of an observer
2. Define relativistic energy and momentum, and use these to solve problems in mechanics
3. Perform calculations using four-vectors
4. Use the Bohr formula to calculate energies and wavelengths in the context of atomic hydrogen
5. Perform calculations using the Lorentz transformation formulae 
6. State the principles of Special Relativity and use them to derive time dilation and length contraction
7. Use the ideas of wave-particle duality and the uncertainty principle to solve problems in quantum mechanics
8. Perform calculations using the quantum wave- function of a particle moving in one dimension, including making use of the momentum operator

Relativity

• Galilean relativity, inertial frames and the concept of an observer
• The principles of Einstein’s Special Theory of Relativity
• Lorentz transformations: time dilation and length contraction
• Velocity transformations and the Doppler effect
• Spacetime and four-vectors
• Energy and momentum with applications in particle and nuclear physics

 

Quantum Physics

• Basic properties of atoms and molecules. Atomic units. Avogadro’s number
• The wavefunction and the role of probability
• Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle and the de Broglie relation
• The momentum operator and the time-independent Schrödinger equation: the infinite square well
• Applications in atomic, nuclear and particle physics: energy levels spectra and lifetimes

Feedback will be offered by tutors on students’ written solutions to weekly examples sheets, and model answers will be issued.

Recommended text

Dynamics and Relativity - Jeffrey Forshaw, Gavin Smith – Wiley – 2009 - 

Sears and Zemansky's university physics : with modern physics - Young, Hugh D., - Pearson Education Limited – 2020 - ISBN: 9781292314815

Supplementary texts:

Why does E=mc²: (and why should we care?)   Cox, Brian; Forshaw, J. R. - Da Capo – 2010 - ISBN: 0306819112

The quantum universe: everything that can happen does happen - Cox, Brian; Forshaw, J. R. -Penguin - 2012    - ISBN: 0141968036

Relativity: special, general and cosmological - Rindler, Wolfgang - Oxford University Press – 2006 - ISBN: 0198567324

* 10% Tutorial Work/attendance 

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2027 will be £10,050 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £40,300 per annum.

For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

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