1. PHYS Modern Physics
Prerequisites: PHYS 1212, MATH Useful to have PHYS 3900 or MATH 2700 (ordinary differential equations) as co-requisite, but not required.
Overview (generally shallow) of theoretical physics developed after ~1900 (i.e., non-classical). Topics will include special relativity, particle-wave duality, quantum mechanics, and applications to atomic, molecular, nuclear, and solid state physics.
Aims of course:
- teach you the fundamental principles of modern physics
- teach you how to apply these principles in practical problem solving

2. A Building-Up of Principles
Algebra -> geometry -> trigonometry-> calculus -> classical mechanics -> thermodynamics -> electricity/magnetism -> special relativity -> differential equations -> quantum mechanics -> applications
What is Modern Physics?
Before 1900, many ``great’’ physicists believed that all the fundamentals of physics were known and all of the problems solved! ``Physical discoveries in the future are a matter of the sixth decimal place’’ - Michelson
There were some experimental results which, however, defied explanation (e.g., the discrete spectrum of the hydrogen atom).

3. The Classification of Physics
Classical Physics
- everyday speeds and sizes (Newton, …)
Relativistic Physics
- Very fast (Einstein, …)
Quantum Physics
- very small (Schroedinger …)
Relativistic Quantum Physics – very small and very fast (Dirac, …)
Quantum electrodynamics
Quantum chromodynamics
Grand unified theory
String theory

4. Chapter 2: Special Relativity
Galilean transformation (classical velocity transformation):
S and S’ are inertial frames
S’ moves away from S with constant speed v
An inertial frame of reference is one in which Newton’s Laws of Motion hold y’ S’ v y
(x’,t’) vt x’ S x
(at rest)
An ``event’’ in frame S has coordinates (x,y,z,t) while in S’ it has (x’,y’,z’,t’)

5. When S and S’ are aligned, x=x’ and t=t’
In classical mechanics, we then say that t=t’ for all time (an approximation, but we did not know it!)
We then get the transformation equations:
Then take first derivative with respect to t or

6. However, Maxwell’s equations of electromagnetism predict that light is an electromagnetic wave and its speed is a constant, c=1/(00)1/2= 3.00x108 m/s.
Today it is known to be exactly x108 m/s.
If the laws of mechanics hold in all inertial frames, then the laws of electromagnetism should also,
But, the theories of classical mechanics and electromagnetism are not compatible!

7. Conceptual example
Consider a space-ship moving at 0.7c (frame S’). Anna is on board the space-ship and she fires an electron gun. The electrons travel at 0.8c with respect to the ship in the same direction as the ship. Bob is at rest (frame S) with respect to the ship. At what speed does he see the electrons traveling?
By the Galilean Transformation, the speed of the electrons in frame S is
Not possible!

8. Replace the electron beam by a light beam. The light travels at speed c. But waves travel with speed relative to some medium (sound, waves on a string, etc.).
Light and all other electromagnetic waves can travel through a medium or a vacuum.
It was proposed in the late 19th century that the universe was filled with some medium called the ether. So, c was the speed of light with respect to the ether.

9. In 1887 Michelson and Morley tried to measure the speed the Earth moved through the ether. But they could not detect this motion -> there is no ether. (see Appendix A on the Michelson-Morley experiment)
Either Maxwell’s electromagnetism was wrong or the Galilean Transformation (Newtonian mechanics) was “incorrect”
Other evidence against Newtonian mechanics:
- It has been observed in modern accelerators that no massive particle can exceed a speed of c Newtonian mechanics has no speed limit

10. Postulates of Special Relativity
The laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames of reference
The speed of light is independent of the motion of the source
The implications of these postulates are numerous and profound. We must adjust how we think about space and time!

11. Postulate 1 (alternate): Absolute uniform motion cannot be detected
Postulate 2 (alternate): The speed of light in a vacuum has the same value in all inertial frames of reference (every observer measures the same value for the speed of light)
In frame transformations, we must abandon the concept of absolute simultaneity. Instead we adopt relative simultaneity to relate S’(x’,t’) and S(x,t)

12. The Lorentz Transformation
Derived in Harris (pp )
When v<<c, v1, the Galilean Transformation is recovered
Required by the Correspondence Principle

13. v can vary from 1 (v=0) to ∞ (v=c)  there is a maximum v
Correspondence Principle says: a new, non-classical theory, must agree within some appropriate limit with an existing (correct) classical theory
v can vary from 1 (v=0) to ∞ (v=c)  there is a maximum v

14. The Lorentz equations relate an event in frame S to frame S’
Can also be written (by symmetry)
Let’s consider two events in S (x1,t1), (x2,t2) in S’ (x1’,t1’), (x2’,t2’)
Write Lorentz equations in terms of length and time intervals

15. Let the two events occur in the same location in frame S’, x1’=x2’
Let the two events occur in the same location in frame S’, x1’=x2’. This gives
Note events do not occur in the same location in S. Now substitute into the time interval equation

16. The time interval for which the events occur at the same location (frame S’) is called the Proper Time = to
Since v≥0 and v≥1, t≥ to  Time dilation