PHYSICS 128

(Spring 2010, Tue/Thu, 2:00-3:15 pm, PH 265)

INSTRUCTOR: Prof. Christian ILIADIS (office PH 174; Ph.: 962-3016; iliadis@unc.edu; www.physics.unc.edu/~iliadis).

OFFICE HOURS: Thursday, 3:30-4:30 pm, or by appointment.

ORGANIZATION: The course is intended to provide an overview of 20th century physics. We will cover the special theory of relativity, quantum theory, atomic physics, nuclear physics and astrophysics.

TEXT: "Modern Physics" (2nd ed.), by K. Krane (Wiley, 1996).

LABS: The lab is a separate course and will meet in Room 231. Laboratory manuals are available in the Course Pack section of the campus bookstore.

ATTENDANCE: It is expected that you will attend all scheduled classes and laboratory sessions. Turn off your cellphone and do not sleep through class. Attendance at the exams is required. Absence from an exam will result in a grade of zero on that examination unless an official written explanation is presented. No make up exams will be given unless special arrangements are made before a scheduled exam. It is expected that you will abide by the UNC Honor Code. It is very important that your class notes are complete (i.e., copy everything from the whiteboard to your notes), since the class discussion may differ from the book.

HOMEWORK: Assigned weekly. Homework is due one week after handout. Late homework will not be accepted. Answers will be placed one week after handout at the Physics/Math library on the 3rd floor in Phillips Hall. Homework problems are similar in difficulty to problems that will appear on the examinations. Feel free to study in groups after class, but do not copy the homework from each other.

EXAMINATIONS: There will be two midterm exams plus a final exam. The midterms will cover topics discussed in class since the previous midterm. The final exam will be cumulative. All exams will have the same format and will consist of two parts: a multiple choice part and a numerical problem part. The multiple choice problems may not necessarily have a single correct answer (perhaps 2 or 3 or all answers, or no answers, are correct). Each multiple choice or numerical problem will be worth 10 points. All exams are of closed book format and, in particular, no formula sheets are allowed. You are supposed to bring only a pen and a calculator to the exams. I will not answer any questions in class before or after handout of an exam.

GRADES: The final grade will be based on two midterms (12.5% each; 25% total), oral presentation (15%), term paper (10%); homework (25%) and final exam (25%). The labs are graded separately. There will be no extra credit in this course.

MIDTERM #1: Thursday, March 4, 2:00 pm.

MIDTERM #2: Tuesday, April 27, 2:00 pm.

TERM PAPER: Thursday, April 22.

FINAL EXAM: Thursday, May 6, noon.

HOLIDAYS: 01/12; 01/14; 01/19; 01/21; 03/09; 03/11.

FIELD TRIPS: TBA.

RESOURCES: Physics Tutorial Center