An Introduction to Quantum Physics

Description

Provides comprehensive coverage of all the fundamentals of quantum physics. Full mathematical treatments are given. Uses examples from different areas of physics to demonstrate how theories work in practice. Text derived from lectures delivered at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Content: PrefaceLearning Aids for Quantum Physics1 Simple models of the atomIntroductionThe classical atomThe electrical structure of matterThe Thomson atomLine spectraPhotonsThe Rutherford-Bohr atomFurther predictions of the Bohr modelDirect evidence of discrete energy levelsX-ray spectraA note on x-ray spectroscopyConcluding remarksExercisesThe wave properties of particlesDe Broglie's hypothesisDe Broglie waves and particle velocitiesCalculated magnitudes of De Broglie wavelengthsThe Davisson-Germer experimentsMore about the Davisson-Germer experimentsFurther manifestations of the wave properties of electronsWave properties of neutral atoms and moleculesWave properties of nuclear particlesThe meaning of the wave-particle dualityThe coexistence of wave and particle propertiesA first discussion of quantum amplitudesExercisesWave-particle duality and bound statesPreliminary remarksThe approach to a particle-wave equationThe Schrodinger equationStationary statesParticle in a one-dimensional boxUnique energy without unique momentumInterpretation of the quantum amplitudes for bound statesParticles in nonrigid boxesSquare well of finite depthNormalization of the wave functionQualitative plots of bound-state wave functionsExercisesSolutions of Schrodinger's equation in one dimensionIntroductionThe square wellThe harmonic oscillatorVibrational energies of diatomic moleculesComputer solutions of the Schrodinger equationExercisesFurther applications of Schrodinger's equationIntroductionThe three-dimensional Schrodinger equationEigenfunctions and eigenvaluesParticle in a three-dimensional boxSpherically symmetric solutions for hydrogen-like systemsNormalization and probability densitiesExpectation valuesComputer solutions f