SIF1004: Modern Physics

(2 credit hours)
Dr. Muhammad Imran Mustafa bin Abdul Khudus
m.imran.mustafa@um.edu.my
Overview
• Prerequisites: none
• Assessment
• 40% - Continuous (Quiz, tests, etc.)
• 60% - Final examination
• Reference books:
• Young and Freedman, University Physics
• Kenneth S. Krane, Modern Physics
• Arthur Beieser, Concepts of Modern Physics
• Stephen S. Thornton, Modern Physics for Scientists and Engineers
• To be updated
 Special
theory of
relativity

Cosmology
Quantum
and
Theory
astrophysics

SIF1004
Modern
Physics
Particle Atomic
physics matter

Nuclear
Physics and
Radioactivity
No. Topic Details
1. Special theory of relativity Galileo-Newtonian relativity, Michelson-Morley experiment, Special theory of
relativity postulates; Lorentz transformation, Lorentz contraction, time dilation
Relativity of Mass, Momentum and Energy, 4-vector time-position: 4-vector,
velocity 4-vector, momentum 4-vector and momentum–energy.

2. Quantum Theory The need for quantum theory, Duality of Particle-Wave, Wave Function,
Heisenberg uncertainty, Time independent Schrodinger equation, Examples in 1-
D: zero free particle and infinite square well potential.

3. Atomic matter summary of atomic structure and the physics of periodic table, Types of Atomic
Bonding, Van de Waals bond, X-ray spectrum and atomic number, Crystal
structures, basic concept of phonons , Introduction to electron conduction in
conductor, semiconductor and insulator.

4. Nuclear Physics and Radioactivity Structure and characteristics of nucleus, binding energy, Nuclear forces.
Radioactivity, Conservation Laws, Q-value, natural Radioactivity Series, Nuclear
reactions, nuclear reactor and technology

5. Particle physics Elementary particles and forces

6. Cosmology and astrophysics Introduction to Big-Bang theory, structure and evolution of stars and galaxies
What is Modern Physics?

“Modern” + “Physics”?
 ‘Classical’ Physics
(pre-1900s)
• Greek scholars (e.g. Artistotle)
• Knowledge of nature
• Hence, meta-physics • Mechanics → forces, motion
• Thermodynamics → heat,
temperature
• Electricity and magnetism →
charge, currents
• Optics
φυσική(?) telescopes
→ light, lenses,
• Atomic and nuclear → radioactivity,
atomic power
• Quantum mechanics → basic
structure matter
• Particle physics → basic structure
of matter
• Condensed matter → solids and
liquids, computers, lasers
• Relativity, Cosmology → universe,
life!
‘Modern’ Physics
First up: Special Relativity!