F6290 Interesting theoretical physics

Faculty of Science
Spring 2013
Extent and Intensity
1/1. 1 credit(s) (plus extra credits for completion). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
Teacher(s)
prof. Mgr. Tomáš Tyc, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. Mgr. Tomáš Tyc, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
prof. RNDr. Michal Lenc, Ph.D.
Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: prof. Mgr. Tomáš Tyc, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Timetable
Thu 14:00–14:50 F1 6/1014, Thu 15:00–15:50 F1 6/1014
Prerequisites (in Czech)
Předpokladem pro zápis předmětu Zajímavá teoretická fyzika jsou znalosti metod lineární algebry a analýzy, základní znalosti variačního počtu a přiměřená znalost teoretické a kvantové mechaniky. Studenti by měli být schopni bez větších potíží číst a porozumět kurzu teoretické fyziky Landaua a Lifšice. Dále je pro absolvování předmětu nutná dobrá fyzikální intuice a schopnost propojení fyzikální úvahy s matematickým popisem.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course Interesting theoretical physics deals with interesting physics problems whose analysis is not trivial and requires deeper knowledge of both the relevant physical and mathematical tools. Apart from intuition, which will play the key role, we will use the methods of mathematical analysis, algebra, approximation theory, calculus of variations and asymptotic methods. The emphasis will also be placed on illustrativeness of explanation of the discussed phenomena. Some of them will be investigated experimentally too. Main objectives of the course:
To support students' intuition and ability of solving non-trivial physics problems
To enable students to understand physics principles deeper
To exhibit the beauty of the mathematical theories used for explaining the discussed phenomena
Syllabus
  • The syllabus is relatively variable because many more topics are available than one can manage in one semester. We choose some of the topics:
  • Propagation of light in media with continuously changing refractive index and its applications to invisibility
  • Focusing central potentials and their representation by non-Euclidean manifolds
  • Similarity theory
  • Microscopic origin and effects of surface tension
  • Matrix solution of systems of semi-transparent mirrors and of a quantum particle in a periodic potential
  • Spinning top theory
  • Vortex rings
  • Spherical and Foucalt pendulum
  • Oscillations of elastic plates and membranes, Chladni patterns
  • Adiabatic invariants in classical and quantum mechanics and in statistical physics
  • Thermodynamics and entropy around us
  • Eddy currents
  • Chaos
Literature
  • Landau, Lifšic, Kurz teoretické fyziky, všechny díly
  • R. Feynman, R. Leighton, M. Sands, Feynmanovy přednášky z fyziky
  • NEEDHAM, Tristan. Visual complex analysis. 1st pub. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1997, xxiii, 592. ISBN 0198534469. info
Teaching methods
The course has a form of a lecture, but an emphasis is placed on the interaction of the students with the teacher and on their discussion of the physics phenomena.
Assessment methods
There is a two-hour seminar every week. The problem to be solved on the next seminar will be announced in advance, usually a few weeks. One or two students will be appointed who will try to solve this problem theoretically and perhaps perform the corresponding experiments. He will explain his results to his colleagues, and then all the students and the teacher will discuss the problem while anyone can contribute by his own idea or solution of the problem. The student will then write down the solution of the problem.
To complete the course successfully, the student must solve one of the problems and participate in the seminars actively.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
Study Materials
The course is taught annually.
Teacher's information
http://www.physics.muni.cz/~tomtyc/teorfyzzaj.html
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2011 - only for the accreditation, Spring 2006, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, spring 2012 - acreditation, Spring 2014, Spring 2016, spring 2018, Spring 2020, Spring 2022, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2013, recent)
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