20522 Quantum Theory I 1

Credits: 4 advanced credits in Chemistry or in Physics

Prerequisites: 36 credits in Physics and/or Chemistry. Students must also fulfill all English requirements and take bibliographic instruction in the Library.

Required: Fundamentals of Physics or both Fundamentals of Physics I and Fundamentals of Physics II, Differential and Integral Calculus I (or Infinitesimal Calculus I), Linear Algebra I (or Linear Algebra for Natural Science Students); and one of the following: Modern Physics, General Chemistry,2 General Chemistry I

Recommended: Mechanics, Differential and Integral Calculus II (or both Infinitesimal Calculus II and Infinitesimal Calculus III)

Authors: Yosef Verbin, Hanna Zuckermann, Barak Kol

This course is designed as a first course in quantum theory for students of Chemistry and Physics. As the prior knowledge required is relatively limited, the course begins by presenting the principles of wave theory and other basic background information together with a discussion of quantum theory. Nonetheless, students must be familiar with the principles of mechanics, including vector mathematics, differential and integral calculus and basic concepts of linear algebra. Students are acquainted with basic concepts of quantum theory and the main methods of quantum system analysis, focusing on applications for actual chemical and physical systems.

The course is less formal than Quantum Mechanics and Atomic Structure (20320), and presents several topics using representative examples rather than axiomatic development.

Topics: The Schrödinger equation; Basic concepts in quantum theory; The methods and structure of quantum theory; Angular momentum and the hydrogen atom; Approximation methods and their applications; Spin and many-electron atoms.

---

1There is some overlap in the content of this and other courses. For details, see Overlapping Courses.

2or General Chemistry (20477 or 20487), which is no longer offered.