Particles and Fields of Modern Physics
Student Selected Module
2005/2006 (SSM-0032/MM02)
This URL : http://www.hep.ucl.ac.uk/~dwaters/teaching/ssm_2005/ssm.html
Summary :
The course aims to give scientifically
literate non-physicists an introduction to some of the key concepts of
modern physics. These concepts help us to understand the universe from
the very smallest to the very largest scales and also underpin much of
modern technology.
Topics covered will include:
-
Quantum mechanics and the differences
between classical and quantum physics.
-
The relativity principle from Newton
to Einstein.
-
The structure of matter : from atoms
to quarks.
-
Connections between the smallest and
the largest scales : particle physics and cosmology.
Prerequisities :
None. However mathematics at roughly
A-level standard will sometimes be assumed.
Module Timetable :
| Date |
Lecturer |
Title |
Activity |
| 10 November 2005 |
Dr. David Waters |
"Particles and Waves" |
Lab experiments : diffraction of
laser light
(SSM-E1 or SSM-E2). |
| 17 November 2005 |
Dr. David Waters |
"Quantum Mechanics" |
Lab experiments : modern physics
(SSM-E3, SSM-E4, SSM-E5 or SSM-E7). |
| 24 November 2005 |
Dr. David Waters |
"Structure of Matter" |
Special Lecture :
"Quantum Order"
Professor Andrew Fisher |
| 01 December 2005 |
Dr. David Waters |
"Relativity" |
Video :
"Einstein & The Equation of Life & Death"
|
| 08 December 2005 |
Dr. David Waters |
"Particle Physics" |
Scanning OPAL Events
(SSM-E6) or Problem Class |
| 15 December 2005 |
Dr. Sarah Bridle |
"Cosmology" |
"Particle Physics & Cosmology"
Dr. David Waters |
| 12 January 2006 |
N/A |
N/A |
Student Presentations |
| 19 January 2006 |
TBA |
"Concluding Remarks" |
Video & Student Test |
All sessions will start in Seminar Room 1.20 in the Malet Place Engineering Building, at 2pm.
See MAP.
Practicals will be held in Lab-3, on the third floor of the
Department of Physics & Astronomy.
Module Assessment :
Successful completion of this module
requires satisfactory performance in the following areas :
-
Practical write-ups. Information on
lab work and write-up guidance are available here.
-
Vacation essay & presentation.
Information available
here.
-
End of course written test.
Module Materials :
Books :
There are no set texts for the course.
However, the following books may be suitable for further reading :
-
"Physics for Scientists and Engineers,
with Modern Physics", Serway & Beichner. A book used by physics undergraduates
but quite accessible nonetheless. Not recommended as a general read, but
a good place to find lots more details if you are interested. Several copies
in the UCL library.
-
"The Quantum Universe", Hey & Walters.
An excellent introduction to the strange world of quantum mechanics.
-
"The Feynman Lectures on Physics",
R. P. Feynman. The first three lectures in Vol.III are an excellent and
highly accessible introduction to quantum mechanics. The rest of the lectures
are far too advanced.
-
"QED", R. P. Feynman. A very readable
introduction to the quantum theory of electromagnetism.
-
"The New Physics", Ed. Paul Davies.
Overview of the whole of modern physics. Slightly dated on particle physics
& cosmology. Some good articles, some more obscure.
-
"The Particle Explosion", Close et
al. Lots of nice pictures and simple explanations.
-
"The Elegant Universe", Greene. A recent
popular account of string theory and cosmology. Rumoured to be very good.
-
"The Character of Physical Law", R.
P. Feynman. A more philosophical discussion of the progress of modern physics.
Web material :
Lab
Work :
Simple experiments will be performed
in the lab after the first two lectures. The following scripts should be
followed. The experiments are mainly qualitative and a detailed analysis
of the results is not expected.
-
SSM-E1
: Double slit
experiment & measuring the slit spacing of a diffraction grating.
-
SSM-E2
: Measuring the
wavelength of laser light using a reflection grating.
-
SSM-E3
: Measuring the
charge to mass ratio of the electron.
-
SSM-E4
: The photo-electric effect.
-
SSM-E5
: Measuring the Rydberg constant.
-
SSM-E6
: Scanning OPAL
events
-
SSM-E7
: Measuring the
speed of light
Vacation
Essay :
Write a short essay (no more than
1000 words) on one of the following topics :
-
An unsolved problem in modern physics.
-
A new technology made possible by recent
advances in physics.
For example, some possible titles
could be :
-
"The origin of mass : the search for
the Higgs boson"
-
"Quantum Computers"
-
"Particle Physics Detectors in Medical
Imaging"
As well as the resources listed above,
you may find it useful to look at some popular science periodicals:
The essay should be handed in on 12th
January. Depending on the time available and the number of students, you
may be asked to prepare a very short (less than 5 minute) talk to give
to the rest of the class on your selected topic.
Contact Details :
Module organiser : Dr. David Waters
Tel : 020 7679 7318
Email : dwaters@hep.ucl.ac.uk
