Introduction To Modern Physics

Module description

Module Description

This module introduces students to the modern physics topics of special relativity and quantum mechanics. These two fields revolutionised physics in the early 20th Century.

Learning aims & outcomes

At the end of the module students should be able to:

• Understand how time dilation and length contraction are natural consequences of the principles of special relativity, particularly the invariance of the speed of light in a vacuum.
• Apply Lorentz transformations to solve problems involving different inertial frames of reference.
• Identify the proper time interval or length between events.
• Draw precise spacetime diagrams to solve special relativity problems.
• Compute the relativistic kinetic energy and momentum of an object with respect to an inertial frame.
• Understand the energy-momentum relation.
• Explain blackbody radiation and how the Planck relation is required for its theoretical description.
• Solve problems involving the photoelectric effect.
• Apply special relativistic and Planck relations to calculate Compton scattering values between photons and electrons.
• Describe a wave packet.
• Understand and apply the de Broglie wavelength.
• Understand and apply the Heisenberg uncertainty principle.
• Calculate interference patterns from a double slit and understand cases of individual photons or particles.
• Understand the Born rule and conditions for solving the Schrodinger equation.
• Solve problems involving a particle in an infinite square well.
• Understand quantum numbers for orbital angular momentum and spin.

Assessment details

 

Type	Weighting	Marking model
Written two hour exam (May)	80%	Model 2 - Double Marked
Coursework (Fortnightly Problem Sheets)	10%
Quizzes	10%

Please note: module assessment may be subject to change. If you have any questions, please contact ug-physics@kcl.ac.uk 

Teaching pattern

A total of 3 hours each week combining lectures and problem solving.

Module description disclaimer

King’s College London reviews the modules offered on a regular basis to provide up-to-date, innovative and relevant programmes of study. Therefore, modules offered may change. We suggest you keep an eye on the course finder on our website for updates.

Please note that modules with a practical component will be capped due to educational requirements, which may mean that we cannot guarantee a place to all students who elect to study this module.

Please note that the module descriptions above are related to the current academic year and are subject to change.