Physics 211: Relativity and Quantum Mechanics (Fall 2009)

TTh 1:15-2:30, 502 Reiss (lecture)
W 1:15-2:05, 502 Reiss (tutorial)
M 1:15-3:05, 501B Reiss (laboratory)

Prof. Jim Freericks

Teaching Assistant

• Matt Illich
  Office hours: 7:00-7:30 T and 6:15-7:45 Th in the Reiss fifth floor lobby
  Email: mki2 at georgetown dot edu
  

Laboratory Instructor

• Prof. Paola Barbara 542 Reiss
  Office hours: TBA or by appointment.
  Email: barbara at physics dot georgetown dot edu
  Telephone: (202) 687-6025.

Tutorial Instructors

• Prof. Marcos Rigol 528 Reiss
  Office hours: 2:15--3:15 W, or by appointment.
  Email: mrigol at physics dot georgetown dot edu
  Telephone: (202) 687-4641
  and
  
• Prof. Beth Lindsey 501D Reiss
  Email: bal39 at georgetown dot edu
  Telephone: (202) 687-2804

Course Description

How can the speed of light be the same in all frames? What does E=mc² really mean? What is curved space and how does it relate to gravity? What is wave-particle duality, and why don't I see it everyday? What exactly is quantum mechanics?

In this course, we enter the realm of modern physics with all of the bizarre behavior of special and general relativity and quantum mechanics. The first part of the course concentrates on developing Einstein's special relativity (6 weeks), an introduction to general relativity (1 week), and quantum mechanics (7 weeks). Most of you have already heard about special relativity, and may think that its consequences are strange. The quantum world is even stranger, and if it wasn't all true, it would be very hard to believe.

Creators of Relativity

Creators of Quantum Mechanics

Some Advice

Three different texts are used in this course: Taylor and Wheeler's Spacetime Physics , Harris' Modern Physics and French and Taylor's An Introduction to Quantum Physics (as a supplement and for some homework problems). You are expected to complete the reading assignments before coming to class; reading exams will be given from time to time to check that the reading has been completed. In addition to weekly homework assignments, you will have three quizzes ( from 7:00-9:00 pm on October 6, November 3, and December 1) and a final exam (4:00--6:00 pm on Tuesday, December 15). Your final course grade will be based on a weighted average of all assignments and exams.

Every Wednesday we will engage in a `tutorial.' During the tutorial sessions, you will work in small groups on worksheets that focus on important concepts and models. The instructors will not directly answer your questions, rather they will help you and your fellow students to reason out the answers yourselves. Each tutorial session has a homework assignment to be handed in at the beginning of the next tutorial session.

You may find some interesting supplemental material for the course in the list of suggested supplemental reading and the list of interesting web sites.

Syllabus

Tutorials

Class Homework Schedule

Examinations

Grading Policy

Supplementary Reading

Interesting web sites

Blackboard

As signatories to the Georgetown University Honor Pledge, and indeed simply as good scholars and citizens, you are required to uphold academic honesty in all aspects of this course. You are expected to be familiar with the letter and the spirit of the Standards of Conduct outlined in the Georgetown Honor System and on the Honor Council website. As faculty, I too am obligated to uphold the Honor System, and will report all suspected cases of academic dishonesty.