IU Physics P301, Physics III, Fall 2007
Course Information

Course Overview	Physics III is the third semester of a three-course introductory sequence (P221, P222, and P301) to the central topics in classical and modern physics. Physics III covers the fundamental physical laws and phenomena that have only recently (within the last century) been uncovered - hence the name "Modern Physics". The two cornerstones of modern physics are the theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. We will cover in some detail the special theory of relativity which relates time and space measurements between moving (inertial) frames of reference. An introduction to quantum mechanics, drawing experimental examples from the periodic table, atoms, and molecules, will make up the largest part of the course. In final part of the course we will learn about some aspects of condensed matter, nuclear, and particle physics. Many of these topics will challenge your intuition and tax your mathematical ability. However, these topics form the core concepts in physics today and it is important to master them in order to understand the universe in which we live.
Instructor	Chen-Yu Liu Swain West 338/IUCF 110A 856-5806/855-2896 email:CL21@indiana.edu Office Hours: (in SW338) M: 12:15pm-1:15pm W: 2:30-3:30pm F: 10-11am and by appointment (send email)
www site	This information as well as the syllabus and announcements will be posted at: http://www.iucf.indiana.edu/u/cl21/teaching/P301/P301Syllabus.html
Schedule	MWF 11:15A-12:05P in Swain West 218
Prerequisites	P222 or P202 (with consent of instructor)
Schedule Changes	Schedule adjustments can be made using SIS until the August 26^th . Late drop/add begins on August 27^th, and ends on Tuesday the 4^th of September. The last date by which a student may withdraw from the course with an automatic W grade is September 25th.
Textbook	Modern Physics, 4e by Paul A. Tipler and Ralph A. Llewellyn (W.H.Freeman & Co.). The text book website (http://bcs.whfreeman.com/tiplermodernphysics4e/ ) has supplemental materials. This fourth edition textbook will be a good guide for our study of Modern Physics. In the first part, it contains a wealth of information on the two main topics that we will study: special relativity and quantum mechanics. We will sample sections from parts 2 in the later part of the semester. The are many "optional" sections that we will draw from occasionally. You are encouraged to read them all even if we do not cover completely in class. Reading assignments will be listed in the syllabus. You should read the material before the lecture that covers that material. Then read it again after, and once more while doing the homework problems. The material is weighty and, sometime, counter-intuitive. It takes repetition to "get it". Unlike some modern physics textbooks, this book does not have a review chapter at the beginning. We will do some review in the first lecture, but you will have to refer to your old books on your own as well. There is a checklist of concepts at the end of each chapter. This is handy reference to consult for the main topics and formulas covered in each chapter. The problems at the end of each chapter are numerous and good. Our homework assignments will be drawn from these. You should work many on your own as you read the chapter. Solutions to the odd-numbered problems are in the back of the book. The problems are coded with bullets to indicate level of difficulty. Use these to gauge your mastery of the material. There are also a few "computer problems" for each chapter. Give some of these a try. In fact, they could be the basis for the "supplemental project" that is required for this class (see below). Here is list of other useful books that will be kept on reserve: H.C. Ohanian, Special Relativity: a Modern Introduction, 1st ed., 2001. J. Taylor, C. Zafiratos, M. A. Dubson, Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 2/E , Prentice Hall, 2004. A. Beiser, Concepts of Modern Physics, 5th ed., McGraw-Hill, 1995. K.S. Krane, Modern Physics, 2nd ed., Wiley, 1996. R. Eisberg and R. Resnick, Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei and Particles, 2nd ed., Wiley, 1985.
Course Grade	Your course grade will be based these items and weighted as indicated: Three in-class exams - 40% Final exam - 20% Homework - 40% Details of each are offered below. Grades will be posted on Oncourse (http://oncourse.iu.edu).
In-class exams	Three in-class exams will be given on dates (Mondays) as listed in the syllabus. These will consist of problems similar to those assigned for homework. Makeup exams will not be given and an absence from an exam can be excused for a documented medical reason only. No books, notes, or scratch paper will be allowed. A formula sheet will be provided. Show all work on the exam pages. Bring pencils and a calculator. Each of the 3 exams will count as 13.33% of the final grade for a total of 40% from in-class exams.
Final exam	The final exam will be given at the assigned final exam time during finals week. It will consist of comprehensive material as well as topics covered after the third in-class exam. The policies for the final are the same as for the in-class exams. The final exam will count as 20% of the course grade.
Homework	It is very important to reinforce the concepts learned in class by working quantitative problems. Toward this goal, homework problems, drawn mainly from the book, will be assigned and graded. The assignments will be posted on the syllabus at least a week in advance of the due date. There will be 14 assignments - one each week. There will be 10 assignments collected and graded. The assignments on weeks of exams and during last week of class will not be graded. However, you should do these regardless, for practice. The graded homework assignments will count as 40% of the course grade. Homework will be due by 5pm on the day that is it due (see the syllabus for due dates). Hand the assignment in during class on that day, or put in my Swain West mailbox (in SW117A).