• To introduce the theory of special relativity and its experimental proofs.
• To carry out calculations using relativity and visualise them.
• To introduce the concepts and the experimental foundations of quantum theory.
• To carry out simple calculations related to quantum mechanical problem tasks.
• To show the impact of relativity and quantum theory on contemporary science and society.

An understanding why classical mechanics must have failed to describe the properties of light, the motion of objects with speeds close to the speed of light and the properties of microspopic systems.

A basic knowledge on the experimental and theoretical concepts which founded modern physics, i.e. that either relativity or quantum theory or both are needed to explain certain phenomena.

A knowledge of the postulates of special relativity.

An understanding of the concept of spacetime, of the relativity of length, time and velocity.

An ability to apply the Lorentz transformation and the concept of Lorentz invariance to simple cases

An ability to apply the equations of relativistic energy, momentum and rest mass.

An understanding of the Doppler effect for light and visualisation of relativistic effects.

An ability to solve problems based on special relativity.

An understanding why quantum theory is the conceptual framework to understand the microscopic properties of the universe.

An understanding of the quantum theory of light and the ability to apply the energy-momentum conservation for light, e.g. photo-electric effect, Compton effect.

An understanding of the structure of atoms and its experimental foundations.

An understanding of Bohr''s theory of the atom and its application to the H-atom including the concept of principal quantum numbers.

An understanding of de Broglie waves and their statistical interpretation.

An ability to explain the experimental evidence of de Broglie waves with scattering experiments of electrons, X-rays and neutrons.

An understanding of the principles of quantum mechanical measurements and Heisenberg''s uncertainty principle.

An understanding of the identity principle of microscopic particles and the basic idea of quantum (Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein) statistics.

A basic knowledge of contemporary applications of quantum theory and relativity, e.g. nuclear reactor and nuclear fissions, and the impact on our society.

• Introduction and historical context : The world according to a 19th century physicist.
• The theoretical concepts based on the two known fundamental forces at the pre-modern era, gravitational and electromagentic forces, and their consequences on the thinking in physics and society.
• The key experiments and 19th century discoveries (e.g. discovery of atomic spectrum of hydrogen, sparks in gases, cathode rays, X-rays, radioactivity, the electron, and the constancy of speed of light,) and the resulting conflicts and the trials to explain them.

• Einstein''s solution of the conflict between motion (classical mechanics) and constancy of speed of light, the postulates of special relativity.
• Frames of reference.
• Th e concept of a thought experiment.
• Relativity of simultaneity.
• The light clock, Lorentz and speed factors, relativity of time and synchronisation of clocks.
• Relativity of length.

• Concepts of problem solving strategies.
• Examples and excercises for time dilation, length contraction and simultaneity illustrated with links to classical mechanics.

• Galilean transformation equations.
• Derivation of Lorentz (Einstein) transformation equations.
• Time dilation and length contraction using Lorentz transformations.
• The Twin paradox.
• Doppler effect for light.

• Practise tasks using Lorentz transformations.
• Practise tasks for the Doppler effect of light.
• Sketch the Twin paradox and its interpretation.

• Relativity of velocities. Velocity addition.
• Transformations between 3 frames of reference.
• Spacetime interval and the concept of Lorentz invariance.
• Basic concepts of world line, light cone and causality.

• Practise tasks for velocity addition.
• Practise calculations using spacetime interval.

• A new type of energy (E=mc2).
• A new look at energy and momentum.
• Relations of relativistic energy and momentum, units.
• Energy-mass conservati on and applications.

• Practise calculations using energy-momentum formulas.
• Practise calculations of relativistic collisions.
• Particle creations.

• Photons and the need of a quantum theory of light.
• Black body radiation.
• Planck''s quantum.
• Einstein''s completion of Planck''s quantum.
• Experimental evidence for energy-momentum conservation for light : Photo-electric effect, Compton effect.

• Sketch experiemental set-ups of photo-electric effect.
• Practise the derivation of the theoretical explanation of the Compton effect.

• Atoms : brief history.
• Atomic spectra.
• Thompson''s pudding.
• Rutherford and the nucleus.
• Franck-Hertz experiment.
• Stern-Gerlach experiement.

• Sketch the experimental set-ups of Rutherford, Franck-Hertz and Stern-Gerlach experiments and their interpretation.

• Bohr''s theory of the atom : successes and short comings.
• Hydrogen spectrum, Rydberg constant and principal quantum numbers.
• The concept of the Laser.

• Sketch the idea of Bohr''s theory of the atom.
• Practise simple calculations of H-spectrum series.
• Sketch the Laser principle.

• De Broglie waves and group velocity.
• Experimental evidence of de Broglie waves : scattering experiements of electrons, of X-rays, and of neutrons.
• Bohr''s principle of complementarity.
• Statistical interpretation of de Broglie waves (and sneak preview to Schroedinger equations).

• Explain de Broglie waves and why they need a statistical interpretation.
• Sketch the experimental set-up of at least one experiement which proofs the concept of de Broglie waves.

• Quantum mechanical measurements and the Feynman perspective.
• Heisenberg''s uncertainty principle.
• Identity principle of microscopic particles.
• Basic concepts of quantum statistics: Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics.
• The discovery of anti-matter.
• The discovery of Bose-Einstein Condensates.

• Sketch and explain the Feynman perspective.
• Sketch and explain the implications of a quantum mechanical measurement and the Heisenberg''s uncertainty principle.
• Explain the basic idea behind quantum statistics.

• Complex atoms and nuclei.
• Periodic system of elements.
• Nuclear decay, nuclear reactors, nuclear fission.
• Selected contemporary applications of quantum and relativistic effects.
• Outlook: Particle physics, astrophysics, cosmology and the need of a new theory.

• Practise exam-style questions.

• Summarising thoughts.
• Revision relativity.
• Revision quantum theory.

Lecture -

= 12 x 2 lectures/week

Seminar -

= 10 x 2-hour workshops/Problem Classes/Mastering Physics

"University Physics" by Young and Freedman, published by Pearson Addison-Wesley (mainly Chapters 37, 38, 39, part of 40)

Access Code for Mastering Physics required