PHY 2031 SPEC TOPICS:QUANTUM MECHANICS
In this course we explore quantum mechanics in detail using precise mathematical formalism. We begin with the empirical motivation for quantum mechanics in the early 20th century. Then we introduce the basic hypothesis of quantum mechanics in terms of both Schrodinger's wave mechanics and Heisenberg's matrix mechanics. Along the way we show some of the practical applications of both wave mechanics and matrix mechanics to real physical systems, and that the wave and matrix mechanics are actually just different formalisms describing exactly the same physics. With the basic hypothesis and formalism of quantum mechanics complete, we derive Heisenberg's uncertainty principle and also show the deep relationship between commutation relations and the classical symmetry of physics. Finally, we cover the question of the completeness of quantum mechanics and Bell's inequality.