Modern Physics with Modern Computational Methods, Third Edition presents the ideas that have shaped modern physics and provides an introduction to current research in the different fields of physics. Intended as the text for a first course in modern physics following an introductory course in physics with calculus, the book begins with a brief and focused account of experiments that led to the formulation of the new quantum theory, while ensuing chapters go more deeply into the underlying physics.In this new edition, the differential equations that arise are converted into sets of linear equation or matrix equations by making a finite difference approximation of the derivatives or by using the spline collocation method. MATLAB programs are described for solving the eigenvalue equations for a particle in a finite well and the simple harmonic oscillator and for solving the radial equation for hydrogen. The lowest-lying solutions of these problems are plotted using MATLAB and the physical significance of these solutions are discussed.Each of the later chapters conclude with a description of modern developments.
1. Introduction - p. xiii 2. Chapter 1: The wave-particle duality - p. 1 3. Chapter 2: The Schrödinger wave equation - p. 19 4. Chapter 3: Operators and waves - p. 37 5. Chapter 4: The hydrogen atom - p. 81 6. Chapter 5: Many-electron atoms - p. 117 7. Chapter 6: The emergence of masers and lasers - p. 141 8. Chapter 7: Diatomic molecules - p. 153 9. Chapter 8: Statistical physics - p. 169 10. Chapter 9: Electronic structure of solids - p. 205 11. Chapter 10: Charge carriers in semiconductors - p. 241 12. Chapter 11: Semiconductor lasers - p. 253 13. Chapter 12: The special theory of relativity - p. 279 14. Chapter 13: The relativistic wave equations and general relativity - p. 311 15. Chapter 14: Particle physics - p. 341 16. Chapter 15: Nuclear physics - p. 393 17. Index - p. 421 18. Appendix A: Constants and conversion factors - p. e1 19. Appendix B: Atomic masses - p. e3 20. Appendix C: Introduction to MATLAB® - p. e9 21. Appendix D: Solution of the oscillator equation - p. e13 22. Appendix E: The average value of the momentum - p. e17 23. Appendix F: The Hartree-Fock applet - p. e19 24. Appendix G: Integrals that arise in statistical physics - p. e21
Modern Physics with Modern Computational Methods, Third Edition presents the ideas that have shaped modern physics and provides an introduction to current research in the different fields of physics. Intended as the text for a first course in modern physics following an introductory course in physics with calculus, the book begins with a brief and focused account of experiments that led to the formulation of the new quantum theory, while ensuing chapters go more deeply into the underlying physics.In this new edition, the differential equations that arise are converted into sets of linear equation or matrix equations by making a finite difference approximation of the derivatives or by using the spline collocation method. MATLAB programs are described for solving the eigenvalue equations for a particle in a finite well and the simple harmonic oscillator and for solving the radial equation for hydrogen. The lowest-lying solutions of these problems are plotted using MATLAB and the physical significance of these solutions are discussed.Each of the later chapters conclude with a description of modern developments.
1. Introduction - p. xiii 2. Chapter 1: The wave-particle duality - p. 1 3. Chapter 2: The Schrödinger wave equation - p. 19 4. Chapter 3: Operators and waves - p. 37 5. Chapter 4: The hydrogen atom - p. 81 6. Chapter 5: Many-electron atoms - p. 117 7. Chapter 6: The emergence of masers and lasers - p. 141 8. Chapter 7: Diatomic molecules - p. 153 9. Chapter 8: Statistical physics - p. 169 10. Chapter 9: Electronic structure of solids - p. 205 11. Chapter 10: Charge carriers in semiconductors - p. 241 12. Chapter 11: Semiconductor lasers - p. 253 13. Chapter 12: The special theory of relativity - p. 279 14. Chapter 13: The relativistic wave equations and general relativity - p. 311 15. Chapter 14: Particle physics - p. 341 16. Chapter 15: Nuclear physics - p. 393 17. Index - p. 421 18. Appendix A: Constants and conversion factors - p. e1 19. Appendix B: Atomic masses - p. e3 20. Appendix C: Introduction to MATLAB® - p. e9 21. Appendix D: Solution of the oscillator equation - p. e13 22. Appendix E: The average value of the momentum - p. e17 23. Appendix F: The Hartree-Fock applet - p. e19 24. Appendix G: Integrals that arise in statistical physics - p. e21
