Modern Physics

PHYSICS 1CC3 — Modern Physics

Course Description

Special relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic and nuclear physics. Covers quantum mechanics, special relativity, atomic structure, wave–particle duality.

Note: this course demands conceptual fluency, not just calculation. Lessons must emphasise interpretation over mechanics — being able to say what an equation means matters as much as solving it.

Prerequisites to Review

PHYSICS 1C03 mechanics and waves; exponentials and basic ODEs from MATH.

Top 7 Topics by Foundational Importance

1. lorentz-transformations
2. mass-energy-equivalence
3. photoelectric-effect
4. de Broglie wavelength
5. bohr-model
6. Schrödinger equation (conceptual)
7. Nuclear decay

Known Difficulty Spikes

• Conceptual interpretation of quantum mechanics
• Relativistic momentum and energy
• Tunnelling

Free Resources

• PBS Space Time (YouTube)
• Feynman Lectures Vol 3 — free online
• MIT OCW 8.04

Connections

Photoelectric effect → periodic trends bridges to CHEM 1A03. Wave equations → orbitals bridges to PHYSICS 1C03 and CHEM 1AA3. Lorentz factor → nuclear binding energy bridges to MEDPHYS 1A03. See interdisciplinary.

Textbook

[Set by /process-syllabus once syllabus is available.]