PHYS 3750

Introduces the foundational techniques that are required to understand the physics of atoms and molecules. Beginning with the wave-particle duality of nature, the wave function and the time-independent Schrodinger equation, techniques to calculate wave functions and macroscopic observables in simple one-dimensional models are covered. The three-dimensional hydrogen atom, the simplest real-life system that allows for a quantitative quantum description, is then examined in detail.