Quantum Physics I

Quantum Physics I

Follow Quantum Physics I
Share on
Copy link to clipboard

This course covers the experimental basis of quantum physics. It introduces wave mechanics, Schrödinger's equation in a single dimension, and Schrödinger's equation in three dimensions.

Allan Adams


    • May 10, 2016 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 18m AVG DURATION
    • 25 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from Quantum Physics I with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from Quantum Physics I

    Lecture 2: Experimental Facts of Life

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2016 80:12


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams gives a panoramic view on various experimental evidence that indicates the inadequacy of pre-quantum physics. He concludes the lecture with a short discussion on Bell's inequality.

    Lecture 21: Periodic Lattices Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 82:21


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams reviews results derived for periodic potential and continues to discuss the energy band structure. The latter part is devoted to the physics of solids.

    Lecture 22: Metals, Insulators, and Semiconductors

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 86:34


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams reviews and answers questions on the previous lecture. Electronic properties of solids are explained using band structure. The latter part of the lecture is a historical introduction to entanglement by Prof. Levenson.

    Lecture 23: More on Spin

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 82:09


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams reviews and further develops the theory of spin. Matrix representations of spin operators are introduced. The box apparatus experiment is revisited.

    Lecture 24: Entanglement — QComputing, EPR, and Bell

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 82:45


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams discusses the basic principles of quantum computing. No-cloning theorem and Deutsch-Jozsa algorithm are introduced. The last part of the lecture is devoted to the EPR experiment and Bell's inequality.

    Lecture 14: Resonance and the S-Matrix

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 83:56


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams discusses the resonance structure of a potential barrier/well. He begins with the case of simple plane waves and then moves on to the case of wavepackets.

    Lecture 19: Identical Particles

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 83:00


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams wraps up the discussion on hydrogen atoms explaining the origin of their magnetic moment. He then moves on to the quantum mechanics of systems where there are multiple identical particles.

    Lecture 20: Periodic Lattices Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 84:20


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams discusses the energy structure and wavefunctions under a periodic potential. The energy band structure is derived for a periodic delta potential.

    Lecture 17: Central Potentials Take 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 80:41


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams solves the central potential problem in 3D and gives a general discussion on properties of the central potential. He also presents a quantum mechanical model of hydrogen atoms.

    Lecture 9: Operator Methods for the Harmonic Oscillator

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 77:53


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams discusses an alternative method to solving the harmonic oscillator problem using operators.

    Lecture 12: The Dirac Well and Scattering off the Finite Step

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 83:48


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams discusses the time evolution of Gaussian wave packets both in free space and across potential steps.

    Lecture 13: Scattering Take 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 82:35


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams begins with introducing the idea of coherent states. He then continues to discuss one-dimensional scattering problems across potential step and potential barrier.

    Lecture 15: Eigenstates of the Angular Momentum

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 84:42


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams discusses energy degeneracy in 3D systems and its connection to rotational symmetry. The latter part of the lecture focuses on the angular momentum operators and their commutation relations.

    Lecture 18: "Hydrogen" and its Discontents

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 80:06


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams continues the discussion on hydrogen atoms. Runge-Lenz symmetry and relativistic corrections are discussed. Zeeman effect and Pauli exclusion principle are also covered.

    Lecture 16: Eigenstates of the Angular Momentum II

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 80:37


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams continues the discussion on the quantum mechanics of angular momentum. The structure of angular momentum eigenvalues are discussed. Eigenfunctions of angular momentum are introduced.

    Lecture 5: Operators and the Schrӧdinger Equation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 83:14


    In this lecture, Prof. Zweibach gives a mathematical preliminary on operators. He then introduces postulates of quantum mechanics concerning observables and measurement. The last part of the lecture is devoted to the origins of the Schrödinger equation.

    Lecture 8: Quantum Harmonic Oscillator Part I

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 80:59


    In this lecture, Prof. Zweibach covers the quantum mechanics of harmonic oscillators. He begins with qualitative discussion on bound state solutions and then moves on to the quantitative treatment of harmonic oscillators.

    Lecture 10: Clicker Bonanza and Dirac Notation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 81:32


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams gives a review on the material covered so far by going over a series of multiple choice questions. He also touches upon the Dirac notation.

    Lecture 11: Dispersion of the Gaussian and the Finite Well

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 81:04


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams discusses some qualitative features of quantum mechanical bound states. He then solves the problem of a particle in a finite potential well as the last example of bound state in the course.

    Lecture 6: Time Evolution and the Schrödinger Equation

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 82:18


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams begins with summarizing the postulates of quantum mechanics that have been introduced so far. He then discusses properties of the Schrödinger equation and methods of solving the equation.

    Lecture 7: More on Energy Eigenstates

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 75:53


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams outlines how to use energy eigenfunctions to conveniently solve quantum mechanical problems involving time evolution. He then discusses various properties and features of energy eigenfunctions and their superpositions.

    Lecture 3: The Wave Function

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 77:54


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams introduces wavefunctions as the fundamental quantity in describing quantum systems. Basic properties of wavefunctions are covered. Uncertainty and superposition are reiterated in the language of wavefunctions.

    Lecture 4: Expectations, Momentum, and Uncertainty

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 80:07


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams begins with a round of multiple choice questions. He then moves on to introduce the concept of expectation values and motivates the fact that momentum is given by a differential operator with Noether's theorem.

    Lecture 1: Introduction to Superposition

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2015 76:06


    In this lecture, Prof. Adams discusses a series of thought experiments involving "box apparatus" to illustrate the concepts of uncertainty and superposition, which are central to quantum mechanics. The first ten minutes are devoted to course information.

    Experiment 2: Effective Mass

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2015 2:13


    An experiment to calculate the effective mass of a ping pong ball by measuring how quickly it rises through water.

    Claim Quantum Physics I

    In order to claim this podcast we'll send an email to with a verification link. Simply click the link and you will be able to edit tags, request a refresh, and other features to take control of your podcast page!

    Claim Cancel