FRS 002AA - Sec. 001 - (2 units)
- CRN 93277 - R 4:10-6:00pm - 158 Roessler
The Quantum Universe
Instructor: Mani Tripathi, Department of Physics, College of Letters
and Science
Description: Quantum Physics was invented in the 1920s and 1930s
to explain some strange behavior of subatomic particles observed in various different
experiments. Since then, there has been an explosion in the number of physical
phenomenon that follow quantum physics and in the number of applications and technologies
that have been developed on its basis. It would be fair to say that quantum physics
is now an integral part of our everyday lives. This seminar will discuss quantum
mechanics without using mathematics and hence, it is not intended necessarily
for students planning to major in the physical sciences. The course overviews
the Quantum Revolution that occurred in the 20th century. We start with Einstein’s
theory of relativity, which had profound effects not only in physics but also
in our everyday thinking. Next, we review the somewhat confounding concept of
"duality", which claims that electrons and light behave as particles
and waves at the same time. Finally, the probabilistic formulation of physics
will be introduced. The resounding utility if not the deep truth of this view
is verified by the abundance of evidence collected in the last century and the
invention of devices that have entered our daily lives. As examples, we will discuss
the working of semiconductor transistors, computer chips, the laser and the nuclear
chain reaction.
Format: This seminar intends to familiarize the student with
concepts of quantum physics that are behind devices that we encounter in everyday
life. The textbook (see below) will allow for the discussion to progress in a
focused sequence of topics such as particle physics and superconductivity. The
goal is to make a complex subject such as quantum physics accessible to a typical
freshman entering UCD. There will be an assigned textbook for this course, "The
Quantum Universe", by Tony Hey and Patrick Walters, Cambridge University
Press, ISBN 0-521-31845-9 (paperback). The students will also view several lectures
from the PBS series, “The Mechanical Universe”, in class. The rest
of the class period will be dominated by discussions. In the discussion part of
the course we will also address, in a Socratic debate format, some of the societal
aspects of this phenomenal transformation. What does physics have to say about
the existence of free will? Does the Big Bang theory amount to a divine act? Finally,
is there a fundamental similarity between Physics and Art? The students will be
expected to read one chapter of the book each week (approximately 2-3 hours for
a reading less than 10 pages because the chapters will be full of concepts that
the student will encounter for the first time). There will be a term paper (1,500
words) due at the end of the course. The instructor will provide a possible set
of topics for the paper. The student will be expected to consult some articles
outside of the textbook in order to write this paper. Grading:
The grading will be based on the term paper (50%), short in-class quizzes (30%)
and class participation (20%). The seminar will be a 2 unit course.
About the Instructor: