2005/06 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PHYS3130 Theoretical Physics

10 creditsClass Size: 40

Module manager: Professor I D Lawrie
Email: i.d.lawrie@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2005/06

Pre-requisites

PHYS1030 or PHYS1031, PHYS1100, PHYS2160, PHYS2170 or equivalents.

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

At the end of the module, students should be able to:
- explain the physical and mathematical principles of Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics, non-relativistic and relativistic quantum mechanics, and simple aspects of quantum field theory;
- discuss the role of symmetries in physics, and derive the associated conservation laws;
- explain the construction of theories of fundamental forces based on the concept of gauge invariance;
- solve straightforward problems involving the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian dynamics of particles, Dirac matrices and creation and annihilation operators.

Skills outcomes
Ability to solve physical problems using mathematics.
Ability to grasp a complex body of ideas.Ability to solve physical problems using mathematics.
Ability to grasp a complex body of ideas.

Syllabus

CLASSICAL MECHANICS
Principle of least action and Newton's laws of motion. Symmetries and conservation laws (Noether's theorem). Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulations; Poisson brackets. Relativistic mechanics. Classical electromagnetism.
QUANTUM MECHANICS
Hilbert space of state vectors. Operators and observable quantities. Quantization of a classical system. The harmonic oscillator; raising and lowering operators.
RELATIVISTIC QUANTUM MECHANICS
Relativistic generalizations of Schrödinger's equation: the Klein - Gordon and Dirac equations. Spin and helicity.
QUANTUM FIELD THEORY
Elementary aspects of second quantization. Perturbation theory and Feynman diagrams. The principle of gauge invariance.
UNIFIED GAUGE THEORIES OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
Descriptive treatment of the standard model of elementary particles and forces.

Teaching methods

Lectures: 22 x 1 hour.

Private study

Examples: 16 hours;
Exam preparation: 20 hours;
Reading & assimilation: 42 hours.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

4 x homework assignments (not assessed).

Methods of assessment

1 x 2 hour written examination at the end of the second semester: 100%.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 19/04/2005

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