In the 20th century ― the age of "modern physics" ― our view of the physical universe underwent a revolution. This book Developments in Modern Physics presents the fundamentals and frontiers of contemporary physics to the most gifted pupils. Typically, students must take multiple courses to cover the majority of these topics. The purpose is to give them a sense of where they're heading and how everything fits together as they go. Quantum mechanics. nuclear physics, particle physics, special relativity, condensed-matter physics, relativistic quantum mechanics, and general relativity are the main topics covered in this book. The objective is to address these topics in considerable depth such that students "get" them and have a basic understanding of them. The book presupposes a one-year calculus-based introductory physics course and a one-year calculus course. Several appendices educate the reader on any additional mathematics that may be required. Numerous problems are presented, the majority of which will lead dedicated readers as far as they wish in modern physics.
Author(s): Nelson Bolivar
Publisher: Arcler Press
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 271
City: Boston
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Figures
List of Tables
List of Abbreviations
Preface
Chapter 1 Introduction to Modern Physics
1.1. Introduction
1.2. Journey of Physics to Modern Physics
1.3. Important Discoveries in Modern Physics
1.4. Origin of the Theory of Relativity
1.5. Solid State Physics
1.6. Atomic Theory
1.7. John Dalton
1.8. Avogadro
1.9. Brownian Motion
1.10. The Advent of Quantum Theory
References
Chapter 2 Spacetime and General Relativity
2.1. Introduction
2.2. Spacetime Diagrams
2.3. The Invariant Interval
References
Chapter 3 Quantum Physics
3.1. Introduction
3.2. Blackbody Radiation
3.3. The Photoelectric Effect
3.4. The Properties of the Photon
3.5. The Compton Effect
3.6. The Wave Nature of Particles
3.7. The Wave Representation of a Particle
3.8 The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
3.9. Different Forms of the Uncertainty Principle
References
Chapter 4 Elementary Particle Physics
4.1. Introduction
4.2. Particles and Antiparticles
4.3. The Four Forces of Nature
4.4. Quarks
4.5. The Electromagnetic Force
4.6. The Electroweak Force
4.7. The Gravitational Force and Quantum Gravity
References
Chapter 5 Nuclear Physics
5.1. Introduction
5.2. Nuclear Structure
5.3. Radioactive Decay Law
5.4. Forms of Radioactivity
5.5. Radioactive Series
5.6. Energy in Nuclear Reactions
5.7. Nuclear Fission
5.8. Nuclear Fusion
References
Chapter 6 Cosmology and Modern Astrophysics
6.1. Introduction
6.2. Evidence of the Big Bang
6.3. Hubble’s Measurements
6.4. Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation
6.5. Nucleosynthesis
6.6. The Big Bang
6.7. Stellar Evolution
6.8. The Ultimate Fate of Stars
6.9. Astronomical Objects
References
Chapter 7 Physics of Semiconducting Lasers
7.1. Introduction
7.2. Basic Laser Theory
7.3. Semiconductor Lasers
7.4. Semiconductor Laser Materials
7.5. Applications
7.6. Recent Development: Quantum Dot Lasers
References
Chapter 8 Physics of Ferroelectrics
8.1. Introduction
8.2. Hysteresis Loops and Switching
8.3. Crystallographic Signature of Ferroelectricity
8.4. Materials
8.5. Usages of Ferroelectric Materials
References
Index
Back Cover
