Concepts of Modern Physics is the most up-to-date, accessible presentation of modern physics available. Concepts of Modern Physics is intended to be used in a one-semester course covering modern physics for students who have already had basic physics and calculus courses. The balance of Concepts of Modern Physics leans more toward ideas than toward experimental methods and practical applications because the beginning student is better served by a conceptual framework than by a mass of details. The sequence of topics follows a logical, rather than strictly historical, order. Relativity and quantum ideas are considered first to provide a framework for understanding the physics of atoms and nuclei. The theory of the atom is then developed, and followed by a discussion of the properties of aggregates of atoms, which includes a look at statistical mechanics. Finally atomic nuclei and elementary particles are examined.
1 Relativity
2 Particle Properties of Waves
3 Waves Properties of Particles
4 Atomic Structure
5 Quantum Mechanics
6 Quantum Theory of the Hydrogen Atom
7 Many-Electron Atoms
8 Molecules
9 Statistical Mechanics
10 The Solid State
11 Nuclear Structure
12 Nuclear Transformations
13 Elementary Particles
Appendix Atomic Masses