Physics 2424 is an intermediate level course in relativity and quantum mechanics. In the section on relativity, we see how the finite speed of light effects kinematics and dynamics of motion studied in first-year courses.  In the section on quantum mechanics, we will see how to deal with the wave nature of matter.

Prerequisite:

Physics 1220 or Physics 1102
Math 1220.

Transfer Status:

SFU:	Physics 285(3)
UBC:	Physics 200(3)

More transfer information at www.bccat.bc.ca

Texts:

Modern Physics, Current Edition by Paul A. Tipler and Ralph A. Llewellyn (Freeman).

Office Hours:

For my whereabout and office hours, please see my schedule.

Attendance:

Regular attendance in lectures is not mandatory but is strongly recommended. It will not be possible for the instructor to provide individual tutoring to make up for missed lectures.

Evaluation:

A final grade for this course will be determined by student performance in:

• Assignments (25%)
• Class tests (35%)
• Final exam (40%)

Letter grades will be assigned according to the following policy:

Grade	Grade Point	% Equiv.	Min % on Final Exam
A+	4.33	90-100	80
A	4.00	85-89	70
A-	3.67	80-84	65
B+	3.33	76-79	60
B	3.00	72-75	60
B-	2.67	68-71	55
C+	2.33	64-67	50
C	2.00	60-63	40
C-	1.67	56-59	40
D	1.00	50-55	--
F	0.00	0-49	--

Assignments:

Assignments will be assigned on a regular basis. The assignments are due one week after being assigned. Note that getting the correct answer any assignment problem is less important that an thorough understanding of how these problems are solved. This is very important as the purpose of questions on tests will be to test your understanding of the physical principles involved. As a result, the test questions may appear quite dissimilar to any question you have done on an assignment.

Handouts:

Handouts, along with old tests and final examination, are available from my homepage www.kwantlen.ca/~mike.

Tests:

There will be two or three tests during the semester, covering specified portions of the course. Details of all tests will be given in class. All tests must be taken as scheduled; there will be no retests, and a missed test will count as zero. If you miss a test due to illness, please notify me as soon as possible. You may be asked for a doctor's note. On any test or exam, you will be allowed to bring in one 8½ × 11 formula sheet.

This is not a course in memorizing equations. One of the goals of the course is to develop the ability to build the specific equations needed for a particular problem, starting from first principles. Exam solutions which omit this crucial step will not be given full marks even if the answer is correct. You may prepare and use an equation sheet with a limited number of equations on it on any test or exam in this course.

Withdrawal Date:

Please see the calendar for this semester's withdrawal date.

Academic Misconduct:

Kwantlen Polytechnic University Policy on Plagarism and Cheating

Questions? mike.coombes@kwantlen.ca