Course Outline for Physics 5
Modern Physics

Effective: Fall 2024
SLO Rev: 10/30/2017
Catalog Description:

PHYS 5 - Modern Physics

3.00 Units

Modern Physics is the fourth course in the STEM-major sequence of Physics. It includes special and general relativity, modern physics experiments, the wave and particle duality of light and matter, photons, quantum mechanics, atoms, solids, nuclear physics, particle physics and cosmology. May not receive credit if PHYS 7D has been completed successfully.
Prerequisite: PHYS 4B, MTH 3 and MTH 4 and MTH 6 (MTH 4 and MTH 6 may be taken concurrently).
1902.00 - Physics, General
Letter Grade Only
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Total 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. analyze and solve a variety of problems often using qualitative reasoning and calculus in topics such as:
    a. special relativity;
    b. quantum physics;
    c. wave mechanics;
    d. atomic physics;
    e. solid state physics;
    f. nuclear physics;
    g. particle physics;
    h. astrophysics and cosmology.
Course Content:
  1. Special relativity
  2. Quantum physics
  3. Wave mechanics
  4. Atomic physics
  5. Solid State physics
  6. Nuclear physics
  7. Particle physics
  8. Astrophysics and cosmology
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Lecture/Discussion
  2. Demonstration/Exercise
  3. Group Activities
  4. Problem solving.
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Weekly homework/question sets 1) In a color television tube, electrons are accelerated through a potential difference of 20,000 volts. With what velocity do the electrons strike the screen? 2) Find the momentum and speed of a proton whose kinetic energy equals its rest energy. (The mass of a proton is 938 Mev/c2). 3) The period of a pendulum is 2.0 s in a stationary inertial frame of reference. What is its period when measured by an observer moving at a speed of 0.6 c with respect to the inertial frame of reference? 4) A supertrain (rest-length = 100 m) travels at a speed of 0.95 as it passes through a tunnel (rest-length 50 m). As seen by a trackside observer, is the train ever completely within the tunnel? If so, by how much? 5) Fireworks go off at the same time according to earth clocks in two cities, Alum and Boron, that are 300 km apart. The people in a space ship that is flying in a straight line from Alum to Boron at 0.8c also observe the fireworks. Do they see the fireworks in the two cities simultaneously? If not, how long before or after they see the fireworks at Alum do they see the fireworks at Boron? (The spaceship is directly over Alum when the fireworks flash.)
  2. Special exercise worksheets, problem review, and computer simulations and tutorials; both individuals and group activities and research papers.
  3. Participation in email and web-based instruction, discussion and tutorials. Internet research on topics dealing with physics, its applications to technology, and its social and environmental implications.
  1. Quizzes
  2. Midterm Examination
  3. Final Examination
  4. Homework
  5. Research Projects
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Demonstrates mastery of quantitative and qualitative aspects of Physic 5: concepts and methods of relativity, quantum mechanics and nuclear physics.
  2. Demonstrates mastery of quantitative and qualitative aspects of Physic 5: concepts and methods of relativity, quantum mechanics and nuclear physics through presentations, group projects, research papers, and/or homework essays.
  3. Read, translate, diagram and successfully solve quantitatively key word problems involving the concepts of relativity, nuclear physics, and quantum mechanics.
  4. Solve qualitatively key word problems involving the concepts of electric currents and resistance, laws of magnetism, laws of induction, geometrical and wave optics, and modern Physics.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Young & Freedman (2019). University Physics with Modern Physics (15). Pearson.
  2. Harris (2005). Modern Physics (2nd). Pearson.
  1. Mastering Physics. Pearson, (/e).
  • Calculator
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Special relativity and modern physics, including photons, quantum mechanics, atoms, solids, nuclear physics, particle physics and cosmology. May not receive credit if PHYS 7D has been completed successfully.
Prerequisite: PHYS 4B, MTH 3 and MTH 4 and MTH 6 (MTH 4 and MTH 6 may be taken concurrently).
Discipline:
Physics/Astronomy*