Quantum Mechanics I

Catalog description

This course motivates from an historical perspective the development of quantum mechanics. We begin by examining early 20th-century experiments that the Newtonian framework could not explain, and then develop a language and a set of rules - or principles - with which one may understand all such experiments to date. Topics include the wavelike property of Nature, the quantization of Nature, the calculation of probabilities, the significance of measurement, wave-versus-particle models, and quantum uncertainty. Illustrative thought experiments will be examined, including Schroedinger's possibly-unfortunate cat. Prerequisite Course(s): Prerequisites: PHYS 180. Corequisites: MATH 310. Classroom Hours - Laboratory and/or Studio Hours – Course Credits: 4-0-4