Modern Physics
Course Materials
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Modern Physics
PHYS 260; Spring 2024
Course description:
An introduction to quantum and nuclear physics and the principles of special relativity. The objective is to explain the experimental basis for the transition from classical to modern physics.
Classroom: Science Building B326
The required textbook (which is free) for the course is listed under course materials, to the left. The optional textbook for the course is Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers, fourth edition. (Thornton & Rex, 2013). You can find it here, along with other interesting books.
Copyright Information
Copyright information: Much of the content of this site and course (please see the top center of this page for the symbols) are licensed under the following Creative Commons license:
Attribution (BY): If you want to use my work, you must give me credit--but not in a way that suggests I endorse you or your use. Please link to this site and add the following to give me credit: "Credit: Matthew Civiletti".
No Derivatives (ND): You may copy, distribute, display and perform only original copies of my work. If you want to modify my work, you must get my permission first.
Noncommercial (NC): You may copy, distribute, display and perform my work only for strictly non commercial purposes. You may not post to Course Hero, or to any course material hosting site.Â
Course Logistics
We will meet in person on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:15 PM to 4:05 PM.Â
Each class will revolve around a topic; these are listed below under "Lecture Topics", which also specify the assignment due for each class.Â
Your final grade will be computed via the following weighted average. The lowest exam is dropped, but there are no makeup exams.Â
25%: Homework and Recitation (all submitted individually)
25%: Exam I
25%: Exam II
25%: Final Exam
The Final Exam is scheduled by the registrar, not by me; I will let you know the date when the registrar publishes it.
Course Calendar
Click on the left picture to see the course calendar.Â
Lecture Topics Schedule
 (all photos in the public domain; GIF credits [in order of appearance]: I, Mapos; Roger Bach, Damian Pope, Sy-Hwang Liou and Herman Batelaan See Roger Bach et al 2013 New J. Phys. 15 033018)
L1: Introduction and Some Fundamental Concepts
Th, Jan 25
L2: Special Relativity I
T, Jan 30
L3: Special Relativity II
Th, Feb 1
L4: Special Relativity III
T, Feb 6
L5: Special Relativity IV
Th, Feb 8
L6: General Relativity I
T, Feb 13
L7: Exam I
Th, Feb 15
L8: General Relativity II
T, Feb 20
L9: General Relativity III
T, Feb 27
L10: General Relativity IV
Th, Feb 29
L11: Black Holes I
T, Mar 5
L12: Black Holes II
Th, Mar 7
L13: The Theory of Quanta I
T, Mar 12
L14: The Theory of Quanta II
Th, Mar 14
L15: The Theory of Quanta III
T, Mar 19
L16: Exam II
Th, Mar 21Â
L17: The Theory of Quanta IV
T, Mar 26
L18: The Theory of Quanta V
Th, Mar 28
L19: The Theory of Quanta VI
T, Apr 2
L20: The Theory of Quanta VII
Th, Apr 4
L21: The Theory of Quanta VIII
T, Apr 9
L21: The Theory of Quanta IX
Th, Apr 11
L20: The Standard Model I
T, Apr 16
L21: The Standard Model II
Th, Apr 18
L22: Dark Matter
Th, May 2
L23: Intro to Cosmology I
T, May 7
L24: Intro to Cosmology II
Th, May 9
L28: Final Exam Review
T, May 14