Physics 346: Quantum Mechanics
This class puts the wavefunction through its paces, using a
wide set of techniques, applications and approximation methods to get at it and its observable properties.
The wavefunction's weirdness is all too easily ignored when using
it to calculate the properties of quantum systems, but we will discuss
the strange thing measurement becomes with the standard interpretation
of quantum mechanics (think Schrodinger's cat).
- Instructor: Sarah Yost, PENGL113
- Class Hours:
1-3-5
11:20-12:30
PENGL 319
- Office Hours:
1-3-5 9:30-10:30 (or just drop by, or by appointment)
NB: I also teach 8:00-9:10 1-3-5 and supervise intro labs days 2 &3, 1-5 PM
Course Notes
Text: "Introduction to Quantum Mechanics" by D. Griffiths
Grading: includes in-class activities, homework, 3 in-class tests (end of mods ABC), and a comprehensive final exam (1-3 PM Dec 17, set by the registrar).
Anticipated Grade Scale:
Grade Percentage
A 90
B 75
C 60
D 50
F < 50
(intermediate grades will be used, but are not set without seeing student results)
Details in the syllabus
Homework Assignments
- 26 Aug: problem 1.1, due 28 Aug, 5 PM
- 28 Aug: problems 1.4,1.5,1.9, due 3 Sep 5 PM
read sections 2.1, 2.2
- 1 Sep: 2.1[a], 2.2, due 8 Sep 5 PM
keep reading Chapter 2
- 3 Sep: 2.5, 2.7 due 10 Sep 5 PM
read Chapter 2.3
Recall that one of your in-class assignments is to bring up a case where the book doesn't quite completely elaborate a step in an example or derivation. Chapter 2 is a target-rich environment for this
- 10 Sep: 2.13, 2.15, 2.42, due 16 Sep, 5 PM
read Chapter 2.4, 2.5
- 14 Sep,handout due 15 Sep, 5 PM
read Chapter 2.4, 2.5
- 22 Sep: Appendix questions A.27 and A.11 except "finding the conditions under which the product of hermitian matrices is hermitian" (we showed in class that it is the case when they commute: AB = BA)
due: 24 Sep, 5 PM
HINT: proving A.52 requires looking at indices for matrix multiplication and its transpose - look at equation A.40 so that you don't have to write out any blocks of matrix components. After showing A.52, you can use the results. Do them in order and you shouldn't need to look at components for any others; just use properties like "H-dagger=H"
- 24 Sep, handout
- 28 Sep, handout
- 30 Sep, handout
- 02 Oct, handout
- 06 Oct, handout
- 14 Oct, handout
Practice Tests (PDF)
Test 1 (J. Crumley): 2007
Note:
Homework and test solutions will be posted on the course Moodle page