As Taught In:
2019/2020
Level:
Undergraduate
Learning Resource Types:
=> Problem Sets
=> Notes
=> Reading Resources
Course Overview:
Together with 104 Introductory to Quantum Mechanics, this course, and 106 Expert Quantum Mechanics cover quantum ideas with application s drawn from modern physics.
Prerequisite:
Physics 104 – Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
Textbooks:
Griffiths, David J. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics. 2nd ed. Pearson Prentice Hall, 2004. ISBN: 9780131118928.
Shankar, Ramamurti. Principles of Quantum Mechanics. 2nd ed. Plenum Press, 1994. ISBN: 9780306447907.
Reading Suggestions:
Cohen-Tannoudji, Claude. Quantum Mechanics. 2 vols. Wiley, 2006. ISBN: 9780471164326. (Useful for 8.05 and 8.06: Some students find it too encyclopedic.)
Dirac, P. A. M. The Principles of Quantum Mechanics. 4th ed. Oxford at the Clarendon Press, 1958. (Quantum mechanics from the Master. Deep, hard and rewarding to read, but probably in the summer.)
Feynman, R. P. Feynman Lectures On Physics. Vol. 3. Addison Wesley Longman, 1970. ISBN: 9780201021158. (Ch. 6 on spin and Ch. 9 on the ammonia maser are particularly useful.)
Ohanian, Hans. Principles of Quantum Mechanics. Prentice Hall, 1989. ISBN: 9780137127955. (More emphasis than Griffiths on operator methods but less depth on some other topics.)
Sakurai, J. J. Modern Quantum Mechanics. Addison-Wesley Pub., 1993. ISBN: 9780201539295. (A revision of the text by Sakurai. Advanced for 8.05.)
Axler, Sheldon. Linear Algebra Done Right. 2nd ed. Springer, 1997. ISBN: 9780387982595. (A conceptual introduction to vector spaces and linear operators.)
Problem Sets:
For conflicts known in advance (such as religious holidays or travel) problem sets should be turned in before the deadline. Illness or emergencies must be documented if you want to excuse a late homework. To allow for unforeseen circumstances (such as work overload, an annoying headache, forgetting to turn in the p-set on time, etc, etc.) one problem set, either an omitted set or the one with the lowest score, will be removed from the calculation of the homework average.
Sitting down by yourself and reasoning your way through a problem will help you learn the material deeply, identify concepts that are not clear, and develop the analytical skills needed for a successful career in science. If you can solve the problems by yourself, you can expect to do well on the exams. After trying to solve a problem without success, seek help from staff or classmates. Many students learn a great deal from talking to each other. Identify what was preventing you from solving the problem and then solve and write up the solution by yourself.
It is a breach of academic integrity to copy any solution from another student or from previous years’ solutions. Your solutions should be logical, complete, and legible. If you cannot present a solution clearly, it is likely that you do not understand it adequately. Graders are instructed not to give credit for unclear or illegible solutions.
Topics covered in this course include:
- The General Formalism of Quantum Mechanics
- Quantum Dynamics
- Harmonic Oscillator
- Quantum Mechanics in 3D
- Two-sate Systems
- Angular Momentum & Spin
- The Radial Equation and Operator Methods
- Addition of Angular Momentum
- Introduction to the Quantum Mechanics of Identical Particles
Note: this is just for readings. To help you with a better understanding in Quantum Mechanics.
Textbooks:
[G]. Griffiths, David J. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics. 2nd ed. Pearson Prentice Hall, 2004. ISBN: 9780131118928.
[O]. Ohanian, Hans. Principles of Quantum Mechanics. Prentice Hall, 1989. ISBN: 9780137127955
[S]. Shankar, Ramamurti. Principles of Quantum Mechanics. 2nd ed. Plenum Press, 1994. ISBN: 9780306447907.
Reading List:
Week 1 :
[S] Sections 5.2, 5.3, and 5.6
[G] Sections 2.1, 2.2, 2.5, and 2.6
Week 2:
[S] Chapter 1
[G] Chapter 3, Section 7.1, and Appendix
Week 5:
[S] Chapter 9
[G] Section 3.5
Week 10:
[S] Section 12.5
[G] Section 4.1 – 4.3
[O] Chapter 7
Agenda:
Lec 1 – 3 >> Wave Mechanics
Lec 3 – 4 >> Spin One-half, Bras, Kets, and Operators
Lec 5-8 >> Linear Algebra: Vector Spaces and Operators
Lec 9 >>> Dirac’s Bra and Ket Notation
Lec 10-11 >> Uncertainty Principle and Compatible Observables
Lec 12-16 >> Quantum Dynamics
Lec 16-18 >> Two State Systems
Lec 18-20 >> Multi-particle States and Tensor Products
Lec 20-23 >> Angular Momentum
Lec 24-26 >> Addition of Angular Momentum
I have no fans of the paper exams. However, the condition made us do a paper exam. Therefore this is an open-book exam that needs to be solved within the time frame by the end of each quarter in the course.
There are ten problem sets, two essential exams, and one final exam.
Please ask for the link once you are ready. You have a limited time to get started once you click the link sent to your email.