Introduction to Modern Physics

Course title

31004400

Middle-level Diploma Policy (mDP)

Program / Major	mDP	Goals
IoT Course	DP-1・3・1	自然科学、情報技術に関する基礎的知識を理解し、利用できる。
Software Course	DP-1・3・1	自然科学、情報技術に関する基礎的知識を理解し、利用できる。
Media Course	DP-1・3・1	自然科学、情報技術に関する基礎的知識を理解し、利用できる。
Data Science Course	DP-1・3・1	自然科学、情報技術に関する基礎的知識を理解し、利用できる。
Mechatronics Course	DP-1・3・1	自然科学、情報技術に関する基礎的知識を理解し、利用できる。
Architecture and Architectural Engineering Course	DP-1・3・1	自然科学、情報技術に関する基礎的知識を理解し、利用できる。
Environmental Systems and Urban Planning Course	DP-1・3・1	自然科学、情報技術に関する基礎的知識を理解し、利用できる。
Bioscience Course	DP-1・3・1	自然科学、情報技術に関する基礎的知識を理解し、利用できる。
Biomedical Engineering Course	DP-1・3・1	自然科学、情報技術に関する基礎的知識を理解し、利用できる。
Sports Engineering Course	DP-1・3・1	自然科学、情報技術に関する基礎的知識を理解し、利用できる。
Mathematical Sciences Course	DP-1・3・1	自然科学、情報技術に関する基礎的知識を理解し、利用できる。

Purpose of class

The course has three objectives:

(1) To develop a unique perspective on nature through the lens of modern physics.
-- By the end of the course, students will have gained a new perspective on the natural world that is distinct to modern physics.

(2) To learn the computational methods used in modern physics.
-- Through the course, students will develop their computational skills, gaining experience in calculating, e.g., the spectrum of a hydrogen atom, even if they are not specialists in the field.

(3) To appreciate the strangeness of our world, beyond what is conventionally perceived.
-- A key aim of this course is to share the wonder and fascination of the weirdness that underlies the natural world.

Course description

This course serves as an introduction to modern physics, focusing on special relativity and quantum mechanics.

The course will cover key concepts including the relativity of space-time (which demonstrates that time and space are relative and dependent on observers), the probabilistic interpretation of quantum mechanics (which implies that the world is non-deterministic), the uncertainty principle (which states that a particle’s position and momentum can never be known simultaneously with complete precision), and entanglement (which suggests that the ”moon” might not exist when nobody is not looking at it).

By the end of the course, students will have a solid understanding of these fundamental concepts.

Goals and objectives

To understand the way of thinking and the view of nature of modern physics.
To understand calculational techniques of modern physics
To understand how our world is weird.

Relationship between 'Goals and Objectives' and 'Course Outcomes'

	Quizzes and in-class problems	Reports	Final examination	Total.
1.	10%	10%	15%	35%
2.	10%	10%	10%	30%
3.	10%	10%	15%	35%
Total.	30%	30%	40%	-

Evaluation method and criteria

Grades will be evaluated based on quizzes and in-class problems (30%), reports (30%), and a final exam (40%). A passing grade (60% or higher) will be awarded if the student is judged to have achieved at least 60% of the learning objectives.

Language

Japanese

Class schedule

	Class schedule	HW assignments (Including preparation and review of the class.)	Amount of Time Required
1.	Overview of Modern Physics, Review of Spacetime Transformations (Classical Mechanics) — Galilean Transformations	Investigate the outlines of relativity and quantum theory; look into Galilean transformations in advance.	190minutes
2.	Special Relativity: Spacetime Transformations in Relativity — Lorentz Transformations	Ponder the nature of time and space.	190minutes
3.	Special Relativity: The Relativity of Time and Space, The New Velocity-Addition Formula	Consider the velocity-addition formula.	190minutes
4.	Special Relativity: The New Mechanics in Relativity	Consider the laws of conservation of momentum and energy.	190minutes
5.	Special Relativity: The Relationship Between Energy and Mass (E=mc^2)	Consider the applications of E=mc^2.	190minutes
6.	Introduction to General Relativity: A New Spacetime	Ponder the nature of spacetime.	190minutes
7.	The Birth of Quantum Theory (Blackbody Radiation, Photoelectric Effect)	Look into quantum theory in advance.	190minutes
8.	Bohr's Hydrogen Atom Model	Review the previous lecture.	190minutes
9.	Introduction to Quantum Theory: The Impossibility of Simultaneous Measurement of Position and Momentum (Uncertainty Principle), A New View of Nature in Quantum Mechanics	Review standard deviation in probability theory.	190minutes
10.	Quantum Theory: The Fundamental Equation of the Microscopic World (Schrödinger Equation)	Review expected values and Newton's laws of motion.	190minutes
11.	Quantum Theory: Wave Functions, Measurement of Momentum and Position, Relationship with Classical Mechanics	Review the previous lecture.	190minutes
12.	Quantum Theory: Theory and Mathematics of Quantum Mechanics	Review partial differential equations.	190minutes
13.	Quantum Theory: Hydrogen Atom Spectrum	Review Coulomb's force and the Coulomb potential.	190minutes
14.	Review of Relativity and Quantum Theory, Final Exam	Review Lectures 1 through 13.	190minutes
Total.	-	-	2660minutes

Feedback on exams, assignments, etc.

ways of feedback	specific contents about "Other"
Feedback in/outside the class.

Textbooks and reference materials

Reference materials will be introduced during class.

Prerequisites

Review Fundamental Mechanics I, Waves and Thermodynamics, and Electromagnetism ahead of time.

Office hours and How to contact professors for questions

Office Hours: Thursday lunch break

Regionally-oriented

Non-regionally-oriented course

Development of social and professional independence

Course that cultivates a basic problem-solving skills
Course that cultivates a basic self-management skills

Active-learning course

More than one class is interactive

Course by professor with work experience

Work experience	Work experience and relevance to the course content if applicable
N/A	N/A

Education related SDGs:the Sustainable Development Goals

4.QUALITY EDUCATION
9.INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Last modified : Sat Jul 11 04:03:31 JST 2026