Modern Physics- General Introduction - A General List Of Topics Covered

Modern Physics- General Introduction - A general list of topics covered

Geometrical Optics
- Reflection and Refraction
- Lenses and Mirrors
- Lens Formula and Mirror Formula
- Dispersion and Spectrum
Wave Optics
- Interference
- Diffraction
- Polarization
- Huygens’ Principle

Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
Dual nature of matter and radiation
- Wave-particle duality
- Observations of electron diffraction and interference
- Examples: Young’s double-slit experiment, Davisson-Germer experiment
De Broglie wavelength
- Equation: λ = h / p, where λ is the wavelength, h is Planck’s constant, and p is momentum
Uncertainty principle
- Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle: Δx * Δp ≥ h / (4π), where Δx is the uncertainty in position and Δp is the uncertainty in momentum

Atomic Nucleus
- Protons and neutrons
- Nuclear forces
Nuclear Stability
- Binding energy
- Nuclear reactions and decay
Radioactive Decay
- Alpha decay
- Beta decay
- Gamma decay
Half-life and Decay Constant
- Equation: N = N₀ * e^(-λt), where N is the remaining amount, N₀ is the initial amount, λ is the decay constant, and t is time

Crystal Lattices
- Unit cells and crystal structures
- Types of lattices: simple cubic, body-centered cubic, face-centered cubic
Types of Solids: Amorphous and Crystalline
- Definition and examples of amorphous and crystalline solids
Band Theory of Solids
- Energy bands: valence band and conduction band
- Band gap and classification of materials as conductors, insulators, or semiconductors
Conductors, Insulators, and Semiconductors
- Examples: metals, non-metals, silicon
Superconductivity
- Zero electrical resistance below a critical temperature
- Applications: MRI machines, power transmission cables

Special Theory of Relativity
- Postulates of Special Relativity
- Time dilation and length contraction
- Examples: Twin paradox, muon decay
Mass-Energy Equivalence
- Einstein’s famous equation: E = mc², where E is energy, m is mass, and c is the speed of light
General Theory of Relativity
- Einstein’s theory of gravitation
- Curvature of spacetime

Introduction to Electromagnetic Waves
- Definition and properties
Wave Characteristics
- Wavelength, frequency, period, amplitude
- Wave equation: v = λf, where v is the velocity, λ is wavelength, and f is frequency
Electromagnetic Spectrum
- Range of wavelengths and frequencies
- Examples: radio waves, microwaves, visible light, X-rays, gamma rays
Speed of Light
- Constant value: c ≈ 3 x 10^8 m/s
Applications of Electromagnetic Waves
- Communication technology, medical imaging, astronomy, etc.

Geometrical Optics
- Reflection and Refraction
- Snell’s law: n₁sinθ₁ = n₂sinθ₂, where n₁ and n₂ are the refractive indices of the two mediums, and θ₁ and θ₂ are the angles of incidence and refraction
- Total internal reflection
Lenses and Mirrors
- Thin lens formula: 1/f = 1/v - 1/u, where f is the focal length, v is the image distance, and u is the object distance
- Mirror formulas: 1/f = 1/v + 1/u for mirrors
Dispersion and Spectrum
- Refraction of light by a prism
- Splitting white light into a continuous spectrum of colors

Laws of Thermodynamics
- Zeroth Law: concept of temperature and thermal equilibrium
- First Law: conservation of energy
- Second Law: concept of entropy and direction of heat flow
- Third Law: absolute zero and unattainability of zero entropy
Kinetic Theory of Gases
- Ideal gas law: PV = nRT
- Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution
- - Distribution of gas particle velocities
Entropy and Boltzmann’s Formula
- Equation: S = k ln W, where S is entropy, k is Boltzmann’s constant, and W is the number of microstates
Applications of Thermodynamics
- Heat engines, refrigerators, phase transitions