Reading basic works of quantum physics 1100-LPPFK-OG

This course amounts to reading and discussing works of selected authors who were creating foundations of quantum physics, and includes the following program:
1. Planck,
2. Einstein,
3. Bohr,
4. Heisenberg, Born
5. de Broglie,
6. Schrödinger,
7. Dirac
and other authors (all articles in English translations). The main goal of the course is familiarity with the original works. Selection of successive articles to read will follow the development of ideas in class: students will be able to follow up on the questions that emerge from their discussions and they may, if they wish to do so, invite specialists for participation in the class (with the help of a faculty leading the course).
Prerequisites: basic university lectures on physics and mathematics.
Participation requires command of English.
Credit requirements: participation in discussions and essay on selected work(s) for a grade.

Updated description was prepared by Stanisław Głazek, January 2021.

Time estimate:
Lecture = 45 hours
Homework reading = 45 hours
Essay = 20 hours
Total of about 110 hours

Type of course

general courses

Mode

Classroom

Prerequisites (description)

Familiarity with algebra, analysis as well as classical and quantum physics at the level I of university studies

Learning outcomes

Student:
0. reads difficult literature and analyzes content,
1. knows content of selected works of Planck, Einstein, Bohr, de Broglie, Schroedinger, Dirac, and others,
2. describes conceptual connections among these works,
3. knows features of good scientific work,
4. follows verified examples in her/his study and work,
5. uses references,
6. properly cites literature.

Assessment criteria

Essay for a grade, deadline for submission June 22, 2022.

First lecture on March 1, 2021, last one on June 14, 2022.

Bibliography

1. M. Planck, "The Genesis and Present State of Development of the Quantum Theory," Nobel lecture, 1918.
2. M. Planck, "Ueber das Gesetz der Energieverteilung im Normalspectrum," Ann. Phys. 4, p.553 ff (1901); tł. ang.
3. A. Einstein, "Ueber einen die Erzeugung und Verwandlung des Lichtes betreffenden heuristischen Gesichtspunkt," Ann. Phys. (Leipzig) 14, 132 (1905), tł. ang.
4. N. Bohr, "On the Constitution of Atoms and Molecules," Philos. Mag. 26, 1 (1913).
5. L. de Broglie, "The wave nature of the electron," Nobel Lecture, 1929.
6. E. Schroedinger, "An Undulatory Theory of the Mechanics of Atoms and Molecules," Phys. Rev. 28, 1049 (1926).
7. P.A.M. Dirac, "The Quantum Theory of the Electron," Proc. Roy. Soc. Lond. A117, 610 (1928).

Additional information

Information on level of this course, year of study and semester when the course unit is delivered, types and amount of class hours - can be found in course structure diagrams of apropriate study programmes. This course is related to the following study programmes:

Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system:

Description of 1100-LPPFK-OG in USOSweb