Quantum Mechanics
Official Descrption[edit]
SP T: INTRO QUANTUM MECH: 24-211
Overview[edit]
A special course usually taught by Dr. Toomey during the Academy summer session, it has been called "watered down physical chemistry" Students start by studying "Old Quantum Mechanics" (ie: the photoelectric effect, black body radiation) and the downfall of Newtonian Mechanics. Then students study wave-particle duality, wave functions,commutators, Eigenfunctions, Hamiltonians, and specific theoretical situations. First, the free particle, then the particle in a box (an introduction to a bounded condition) and the rigid rotor.
What Really Happens[edit]
It's alot to cram into four weeks. As such, students may not have the capability or time to solve some of the differential equations presented in the course. Rather, it is taken on faith that the solutions presented are correct. There is an accompanying text-book, but in the past it was rarely opened. A solid base in algebra is necessary, as well as a basic understanding of calculus.
