Course content

Quantum mechanics: Introduction to quantum mechanics. The Schrödinger equation. Harmonic oscillator. Angular momentum. The hydrogen atom. Spin. Pauli's exclusion principle. Atomic structure. Bonding theory. The elements.
Chemical physics: Applications of quantum mechanics in organic chemistry and biochemistry.

Learning outcome

The student is supposed to: — know the main features of the historical development of quantum mechanics, — master central concepts like operators, eigenfunctions, eigenvalues, and the Schrödinger equation, and know the role of these in quantum mechanics, — learn how this theory can be formulated in terms of a set of basic postulates and a number of central theorems, where notions like expansions in terms of eigenstates, stationary and non-stationary states, and compatible and non-compatible observables play central roles, — learn how to apply this formalism, first to one-dimensional systems like potential wells and the harmonic oscillator, later to three-dimensional systems, in particular the hydrogen atom, — based on detailed knowledge of the hydrogen atom: acquire some understanding of the structure of heavier atoms and the periodic system, and also molecules and simple models of ionic and covalent bonding, — be able to formulate a quantum-mechanical many-particle problem with molecules as an example, — know central aspects like the Born-Oppenheimer approximation, the Pauli principle, the Hartree- and Hartree-Fock methods, and molecular orbitals, — via PC-based exercises gain some knowledge of how quantum-mechanical computations are used in practice to study chemical bonding and chemical reactions (molecular geometry and electron structure, vibrational frequencies, energy barriers, binding energies).

Learning methods and activities

Lectures and exercises. Compulsory exercises, quantum mechanics: 7 out of 10 (some of which may become specifically compulsory), chemical physics: 2 out of 3. The exercises in chemical physics are performed on PC with the program Spartan. A re-sit examination may be changed from written to oral.

Compulsory assignments

• Calculation exercises

Recommended previous knowledge

The course requires fundamental knowledge of mechanics, electromagnetism and waves.

Course materials

P. C. Hemmer: Kvantemekanikk, Tapir, 2000. (In Norwegian).
B.H. Bransden & C.J. Joachain: Quantum Mechanics, Prentice Hall, 2nd edition, 2000. Lecture notes.

Credit reductions