| PHY 4510 Thematic Melodies of 20th Century Theoretical Physics
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Course information | Download area |
PHY 4510
Thematic Melodies of 20th Century Theoretical Physics
Different topics illustrating important ideas in 20th century theoretical physics will be discussed. Topics covered will include: quantization, phase factor, path integral, symmetry, symmetry and groups in physics, modern developments and gauge theory. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
Theme
The true glory of physics in the 20th century
lies in the deepened understandings of important primordial concepts which date
from the beginning of human civilization: that of space, of time, of motion, of energy, and of force. In all of these primordial concepts,
there have been profound revolutions in our understanding, revolutions that had
brought forth a more beautiful, more subtle, more precise and more unified
description of nature.
There have been in recent years studies of
many aspects of the detailed history of twentieth century physics. It is not the purpose to delve into
these subjects in this course. What
this course proposes to do is instead to look into this history for the broad motifs of the developments,
and to trace the three main strands that had persistently woven through
its conceptual advances, appearing again and again in a variety of forms,
singly or intertwined, like the thematic melodies of symphonic music.
These three melodies together define the tone
and the flavour of the main developments of physics in the 20th century:
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Quantization
·
Phase Factor
·
Symmetry
Prerequisites
Although this course will be about some of the deepest ideas in 20th century theoretical physics, it is designed to be accessible to undergraduates. Students are expected to have taken the following courses (or equivalent) and learnt the subjects indicated. All these are required courses for CUHK physics undergraduates, normally taken in the first term of year 2.
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Course code |
Course title |
Subject matter |
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PHY
3011 |
Mechanics |
least
action principle, Lagrangian, Hamiltonian |
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PHY
3201 |
Quantum
Physics I |
the
angular momentum operator |
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PHY
3041 |
Electricity
and Magnetism |
the
vector potential and the choice of gauge |
Teachers
Prof. C N Yang
SC 352 ,
2609 6146 , [email protected]
Prof. Kenneth Young
SC 211 / UAB 107 , 2609 6352, [email protected]
Teaching Assistant
You Wenlong
SC 224, 2609 6314, [email protected]
Venue
All classes will be held at Science Centre SC LG23
Assessment Scheme
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Homework |
50% |
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Final exam. |
50% |
Auditors
Students (and staff) from CUHK and other institutions who wish to audit this course are welcome, but should register with the TA ahead of time.
Website
http://www.phy.cuhk.edu.hk/course/phy4510/