Application to various topics in physical mechanics. The development and current status of major advances in twentieth-century physics, such as special relativity, kinetic theory, structure of atoms, molecules and nuclei, wave and particle properties of matter, thermionic and photoelectric effects. MTH 243 and ELE 210 can be substituted for 204. Not open to students with credit in 306. Key experiments covering a wide range of disciplines including nuclear physics, properties of the electron, magnetism thermodynamics, and optics.
Quantitative analysis is stressed, including statistics and curve fitting.
Technical skills are developed. Emphasis will be on approximation techniques and numerical methods for solving matrix, integral, and differential equations arising in physics. Born approximation, partial waves. Electron gas theory of metals, band theory of solids. Research in current areas of physics.