34737 - Mathematical Foundations of Physics

Academic Year 2024/2025

  • Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Mathematics (cod. 5827)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student has an exact knowledge of the mathematical formalisms underlying physical theories. In particular, it focus on those parts of mathematics developed for the comprehension of some physical phenomena. Better understands of physics better through depth knowledge of its mathematical language.

Course contents

Special Relativity

- Absolute motion, aether theory, Lorentz theory: from the experiments to Einstein's theory;

- Relativistic kinematics and dynamics;

Principles of Quantum Mechanics

- Elementary aspects of quantum theory: the Planck formula, the Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization rule;

-Geometric-wave optics, wave mechanics, DeBroglie's theory: introduction to the Schrodinger equation.

- Axioms of Quantum Mechanics: Connection with the the theory of linear operators in Hilbert space.

Readings/Bibliography

Class notes

 

Teta, Alessandro. A Mathematical Primer on Quantum Mechanics. Berlin: Springer, 2018.

Teaching methods

Classroom lectures

Assessment methods

The exam consists of an oral interview in order to verify the knowledge of the arguments listed in the Course Contents. The oral exam deals with two subjects, one of them chosen by the student.

Teaching tools

Lecture notes and updated record of lessons.

Office hours

See the website of Daniele Tantari