PHY 306: Elementary Modern Physics
(Spring 2008)
R. A. McCorkle
311C East Hall
Phone:
URI-2044
E-mail: rmccor@uri.edu
Text:
Concepts of Modern Physics (6th Ed.) by Arthur Beiser, (McGraw-Hill,
2003). Schaum’s Outline and/or
Student’s Solution Manual may be helpful.
Course
Outline: The
special theory of relativity, wave and particle properties, structure of atoms,
molecules, nuclei and solids.
*This course
introduces concepts that are often counter-intuitive and challenging. Staying current with the readings and the
problem-sets is strongly advised.
Problem Sets: Assigned problems reflect the level of knowledge
expected. Some problems may be worked
in class, as time permits.
Grades:
Exams (1.25
hours each) are closed book: a calculator and one note sheet of 8.5x11, of your
choosing, will be allowed. Each unit
exam will include one problem taken directly from your problem sets. The final exam (three hours) will have three
sections corresponding to the three units, plus a final section covering
chapters 10 and 11. Four note sheets
and a calculator will be allowed for the final. If you earn a higher score on a section of the final exam than
you did on the corresponding unit exam, the score on the corresponding section
of the final will replace your unit exam score. The final exam units also serve as make-up exams: no other
make-up exams are given.
Course grades will be determined from unit exams
70%, final exam 30%. Letter
grades will be assigned with the minimal basis:
A: 93, A-: 90, B+: 87, B: 83, B-: 80, C+: 77, C: 73, C-:
70, D+: 67, D: 60.
PHY 306 Schedule:
|
DATE |
CONTENT |
PROBLEMS |
|
Jan. 24 |
Intro. Chapter 1 |
4,9,11,15,17,19,23 |
|
Jan. 29 |
Chapter 1 |
29,35,46,49,51,55 |
|
Jan. 31 |
Chapter 1 |
|
|
Feb. 5 |
Chapter 2 |
7,11,15,21 |
|
Feb. 7 |
Chapter 2 |
29,37,39,45,51 |
|
Feb. 12 |
Chapter 3 |
7,9,17,21,27,33,35 |
|
Feb. 14 |
Chapter 3 |
|
|
Feb. 19 |
Chapter 4 |
3,11,13,19,25,31,41 |
|
Feb. 21 |
Exam1: Chap.1-3 |
|
|
Feb. 26 |
Chapter 4 |
|
|
Feb. 28 |
Chapter 5 |
5,15,17,21,25,33 |
|
Mar. 4 |
Chapter 5 |
|
|
Mar. 6 |
Chapter 6 |
3,5,11,15,21,23,31 |
|
Mar. 11 |
Chapter 6 |
|
|
Mar. 13 |
Chapter 7 |
1,3,9,11,23 |
|
Mar.17-23 |
Spring break |
|
|
Mar. 25 |
Chapter 7 |
25,29,31,37,41 |
|
Mar. 27 |
Exam 2: Chap.4-6 |
|
|
Apr. 1 |
Chapter 8 |
3,7,9,11,19,21 |
|
Apr. 3 |
Chapter 8 |
|
|
Apr. 8 |
Chapter 9 |
1,3,7,13,19,25,27 |
|
Apr. 10 |
Chapter 9 |
33,37,39,43,45 |
|
Apr. 15 |
Chapter 10 |
3,5,11,15,17,21 |
|
Apr. 17 |
Exam 3: Chap.7-9 |
|
|
Apr. 22 |
Chapter 10 |
|
|
Apr. 24 |
Chapter 11 |
3,9,13,15,17,21 |
|
Apr. 29 |
Chapter 11 |
|
|
May TBA |
Final Exam |
Chapters 1-11 |