PHYSICS 2510 - Quantum Mechanics II
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code PHYSICS 2510 Course Quantum Mechanics II Coordinating Unit Physics Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 7 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Prerequisites PHYSICS 1100 & PHYSICS 1200 & MATHS 1012 - Other students may apply to Head of Physics for exemption Corequisites MATHS 2102 or MATHS 2106. Other students may apply to Head of Physics for exemption Assessment Tutorial preparation, practical work, tests, written exam Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Ross Young
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
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1. discuss the non-deterministic nature of quantum physics; 2 demonstrate an understanding of wave-particle duality, i.e. the particle nature of light and the need for a wave treatment of particles; 3 define and discuss the concepts of a state, an observable, and a measurement in quantum mechanics; 4 solve simple quantum mechanical problems. 5 make appropriate decisions about the experimental uncertainty associated with every measurement, and analyse uncertainties correctly; 6 keep a scientific record of experimental work; 7 analyse the results of experiments and reach non-trivial conclusions about them; 8 make correct and appropriate use of a range of scientific equipment; 9 work effectively in a small team to complete a complex set of tasks; 10 communicate results orally and in writing
University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1-8 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
1-8 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
9-10 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
5-8 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
Serway, R.A., Moses, C.J. & Moyer, C.A. (2005) Modern Physics (3rd edition) (Thomson)
Griffiths, D.J. (2005) Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (2nd edition) (Prentice Hall)
Recommended Resources
Bernstein, J., Fishbane, P. M. and Gasiorowicz, S. (2000) Modern Physics (Prentice Hall)Online Learning
MyUni: Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website ().
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Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course will be delivered by the following means:
- 2 Lectures of 1 hour each per week for 12 weeks
- 1 Workshop of 1 hour per week for 11 weeks
- 1 Practical of 4 hours per week for 11 weeks
Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).
Learning Activities Summary
The course content will include the following:
Coursework Content
- Introduction
- Towards the particle properties of light
- Particles as waves
- Wave functions
- Expectation values
- Schroedinger’s equation
- Simple one-dimensional problems
- Expectation values and measurement
- General properties of the wave function
- Simple applications
- Multi-particle systems
- Magic numbers
Practical work (11 sessions)
Experiments, carried out in groups of two students, selected from:
- Oscilloscopes
- Particle counting statistics
- Alpha particles
- Gamma ray spectroscopy
- Natural radioactivity
- Scattering
- Low temperature behaviour of heat capacity
- Hydrogen and the solar spectrum
- Kater's pendulum
- Cavendish experiment
- Symmetry breaking (potential wells)
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Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment task Type of assessment Percentage of total assessment Hurdle
Yes or No #Outcomes being assessed/achieved Practical work Formative & Summative 33% Yes 5-10 Workshop preparation Formative & Summative min 5% - max 10% No 1 – 4, 10 Tests Formative & Summative min 10% - max 26% No 1 – 4, 10 Final exam Summative min 31% - max 52% Yes (40%) 1 – 4, 10 Assessment Related Requirements
To obtain a grade of Pass or better in this course, a student must maintain a suitable logbook for at least 10 practical sessions during the semester, attend the examination and achieve at least 40% in the final exam.
Practicals
Students with medical or compassionate reasons for non-attendance will be given an opportunity to make up missed practical sessions by attending an alternative practical session during the teaching periods. They must contact the laboratory coordinator to arrange this.
Exam
Students who attain a final course grade of at least 45% but do not attain a minimum of 40% for the exam will be offered an Additional Academic Exam during the Replacement/Additional Assessment period, in line with the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy.Assessment Detail
Tests
2 x 50 minute, closed book tests taken during the semester, which have a formative and summative role and address essential aspects of the learning objectives for Quantum Mechanics. Each test can contribute up to 13% to the final assessment; poor performance may be partly redeemed by superior performance in the final exam.Workshop preparation
To maximise the benefit of workshops, students are required to submit their answers before or at the workshop. Assessment is based on effort rather than correctness; this task has a formative and summative role. It can contribute up to 10% to the final assessment; poor performance may be partly redeemed by superior performance in the final exam.Final exam
This summative assessment activity comprehensively addresses learning objectives 1 - 4 and 10.Practical work (Practical achievement and practical reports)
Students work on an experiment until it is completed and they have an adequate report in their log book. Demonstrators provide formative assessment as the students are doing each experiment. Each student then selects one completed experiment and writes an extended lab report. The log book and report are assessed summatively.Submission
Submission of Assigned Work
Coversheets must be completed and attached to all submitted work. Coversheets can be obtained from the School Office (room G33 Physics) or from MyUNI. Work should be submitted via the assignment drop box at the School Office.Extensions for Assessment Tasks
Extensions of deadlines for assessment tasks may be allowed for reasonable causes. Such situations would include compassionate and medical grounds of the severity that would justify the awarding of a supplementary examination. Evidence for the grounds must be provided when an extension is requested. Students are required to apply for an extension to the Course Coordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time. The assessment extension application form can be obtained from:Late submission of assessments
If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days or more late without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the mark.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
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