Quantum Mechanics

Code: FIS14146L

6 ECTS

Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours

Scientific Area: Physics

Teaching languages: Portuguese

Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese

Presentation

To familiarize the students with the fundamentally different way from Classical Physics with which Quantum Mechanics describes and explains the world.

Sustainable Development Goals

Educação de qualidade - Assegurar a educação inclusiva, e equitativa e de qualidade, e promover oportunidades de aprendizagem ao longo da vida para todos.

Learning Goals

The syllabus is proposed for students of Physics and Chemistry, and this is one of their first courses in twentieth century Physics. It is our aim that the students will acquire an understanding of quantum phenomena and processes, as well as how widely it is used in Physics. One of the main goals is to familiarize the students with the fundamentally different way from Classical Physics with which Quantum Mechanics describes and explains the world. The quantum way of thinking is often counter-intuitive and abstract. A discussion of many concrete examples and the solution of problems by the students is indispensable for its understanding. Another important aim is to show the students how a large part of modern technology depends crucially on applications of Quantum Mechanics.

The origins of Quantum Physics. Corpuscular properties of light and wave properties of matter. The notion of a wave function and its statistical interpretation. Quantum states and the Dirac notation. Observables and operators. The postulates of Quantum Mechanics. The uncertainty principle. The two-level system. Solutions of the Schrödinger equation in one dimension. The general formalism of Quantum Mechanics. The Schrödinger equation in three dimensions. Orbital angular momentum and spin. Identical particles and quantum statistics. Phenomena of entanglement, the EPR paradox, Bells inequality.

Teaching Methods

Exposition of the syllabus in lectures, including problem solving. EVALUATION: two optional written tests or, alternatively, an exam in the normal epoch. Existence of a second-call examination accessible to all students. In the normal epoch the score is either the average of the two tests or the normal exam. The final score is the highest between the normal and second-call epoch.