Physics - I
PH101 Physics I (2-1-0-6)
Prerequisite: Nil
Calculus of variation: Fermats principle, Principle of least action, Euler-Lagrange equations and its applications.
Lagrangian mechanics: Degrees of freedom, Constraints and constraint forces, generalized coordinates, Lagrange's equations of motion, Generalized momentum, Ignorable coordinates, Symmetry and conservation laws, Lagrange multipliers and constraint forces.
Hamiltonian mechanics: Concept of phase space, Hamiltonian, Hamilton's equations
of motion and applications.
Special Theory of Relativity: Postulates of STR. Galilean transformation. Lorentz transformation. Simultaneity. Length Contraction. Time dilation. Relativistic addition of
velocities. Energy momentum relationships.
Quantum Mechanics: Two-slit experiment. De Broglie's hypothesis. Uncertainty Principle, wave function and wave packets, phase and group velocities. Schrodinger Equation.
Probabilities and Normalization. Expectation values. Eigenvalues and eigenfunctions.
Applications in one dimension: Infinite potential well and energy quantization. Finite
square well, potential steps and barriers - notion of tunnelling, Harmonic oscillator problem zero-point energy, ground state wavefunction and the stationary states.
Texts:
- R. Takwale and P. Puranik, Introduction to Classical Mechanics, 1st Edition, Mc-Graw Hill Education, 2017.
- John Taylor, Classical mechanics, University Science Books, 2005.
- R. Eisberg and R. Resnick, Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei and Particles, 2nd Edition, John-Wiley, 2006.
References:
- Patrick Hamill, A Students Guide to Lagrangians and Hamiltonians, Cambridge University Press, 1st edition, 2013.
- M. R. Spiegel , Theoretical Mechanics, Tata McGraw Hill, 2008.
- R. P. Feynman, R. B. Leighton, and M. Sands, The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Volume I, Narosa Publishing House, 1998.
- R. Resnick, Introduction to Special Relativity, John Wiley, Singapore, 2000.
- S. Gasiorowicz, Quantum Physics, John Wiley (Asia), 2000.