Module 1: OVERVIEW OF MODERN

PHYSICS

Overview:

In this module……
We will discuss the overview of Modern Physics.

While classical physics describes most physics studies prior to the early 20 th century and typically
involve large scale physics concepts, and its branches include thermodynamics, electricity and
magnetism, mechanics, light and optics, and sound. Modern physics is more concerned with the
microscopic world of particles. Studied from the early part of the 20 th century to the present, modern
physics includes quantum mechanics, molecular physics, nuclear physics, particle physics, atomic
physics, relativity, condensed matter physics, nanophysics and cosmology.

Learning Outcomes:

After completing this module:

1. You will be able to define Modern Physics.

2. You will be able to identify the different topics related to Modern Physics.

3. You will be able to know the overview of this subject, for example, definition, branches, framework,
and how does it develop.

4. You will be able to value it's essential to our day by day lives.

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Activity

Title: Conducting a Research about Modern Physics

Objectives:

1. To know the definition of modern physics.

1. To identify things in our daily activities that involve modern physics.

2. To understand the significance of modern physics in our daily activities.

What are needed?

Reference Book/Encyclopedia/Internet

What to do?

In your home, try to research what is modern physics and what are the topics involve in modern
physics. After you had done a research report or discuss your output to the class.
 REPORT ABOUT MODERN PHYSICS
By: Laguna, Kayla Jane
Physics, as it developed from the Renaissance to the end of the 19th
century, is called classical physics. Revolutionary discoveries starting
at the beginning of the 20th century transformed physics from
classical physics to modern physics. Classical physics deals with topics
on the macroscopic scale that is on a scale that can be studied with
the largely unaided five human senses. While the Modern physics
deals with the underlying structure of the smallest particles in nature
(quantum mechanics), as well as a rigorous understanding of the
fundamental interaction of particles, understood as forces. In general,
the term is used to refer to any branch of physics either developed in
the early 20th century and onwards, or branches greatly influenced by
early 20th century physics. It implies that classical descriptions of
phenomena are lacking, and that an accurate, "modern", description
of reality requires theories to incorporate elements of quantum
mechanics or Einsteinian relativity, or both. There are two pillars of
Modern Physics, the Quantum Physics and Relativity. Father of
Quantum Physics is Sir Max Planck and that of Relativity by Albert
Einstein. Relativity theory and quantum mechanics became the two
most important branches of “Modern Physics” that emerged as an
alternative to “Classical Physics” (a term often used interchangeably
with that of “Newtonian” or “Galilean” physics). These two
Discoveries created a Revolution in our understanding of Physics.
Relativity says that in describing the universe, it is important to
realize that time, space and speed are not absolute. Instead, they can
appear different to different observers. Einstein’s ability to reason out
relativity is even more amazing because we cannot see the effects of
relativity in our everyday lives. Quantum mechanics is the second
major theory of modern physics. Quantum mechanics deals with the
 very small, namely, the subatomic particles that make up atoms.
Atoms are the smallest units of elements. However, atoms themselves
are constructed of even smaller subatomic particles, such as protons,
neutrons and electrons. Quantum mechanics strives to describe the
properties and behavior of these and other subatomic particles. Often,
these particles do not behave in the ways expected by classical
physics. One reason for this is that they are small enough to travel at
great speeds, near the speed of light. According to Thomas Kuhn, The
advent of modern physics, was a classic case of a Paradigm Shift,
There was a significant change in physical concepts, and modification
of our experimental methods. Many remarkable discoveries have
emerged as a result of modern physics such as the use of quantum
mechanics to understand the semiconductor behavior, magnetic
resonance (used in MRI’s), and general relativity is critical for
computing/measuring accurate GPS coordinates. Cars, transformers,
microwave transmitters and magnetic recording all use magnets.

Analysis

1. What is modern physics?

2. What are the different types of modern physics?

3. What are the two pillars of Modern Physics?

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4. What is the biggest role of modern physics in the modern world?

5. Differentiate modern and classical physics.

6. Who is the Father of Modern Physics?

Abstraction

1.1 Definition of Terms Involved in Modern Physics

WHAT IS PHYSICS?

 Physics is the natural science which investigates the nature and behavior of physical
concepts or phenomena, including mass, matter, motion, and charge as well as result
of observations derived from these examinations, such as energy, force, space, and
time.

WHAT IS MODERN PHYSICS?

 Modern physics is one of the most important branch of physics which deals with the
study of very small objects or microscopic level .Important topics of modern physics
are theory of relativity, high speeds, planks quantum theory.
 Modern physics is a branch of physics either developed in the early 20th century and
onward or branches greatly influenced by early 20th century physics. Notable
branches of modern physics include quantum physics, special relativity, and general
relativity.

WHAT ARE THE TWO MAIN BRANCHES OF PHYSICS?

 Classical Physics – includes Mechanics, Optics, Electromagnetism, Thermodynamics,

Sound, etc.
 Modern Physics – includes relativity, quantum physics, atomic physics and nuclear
physics.
Quantum Physics

- It’s the physics that explains how everything works: the best description we have of the
nature of the particles that make up matter and the forces with which they interact.
- Underlies how atoms work, and so why chemistry and biology work as they do.

Atomic Physics

- It deals with the atom as a system consisting of a nucleus and electrons.

- It’s the field of physics that studies atoms as an isolated system of electrons and an atomic
nucleus. It is primarily concerned with the arrangement of electrons around the nucleus, and
the processes by which these arrangement change. This comprises ions, neutral atoms, and
unless otherwise stated, it can be assumed that the term atoms includes ions.
- It can be associated with nuclear power plant and nuclear weapons, due to the synonymous
use of atomic and nuclear in Standard English.

Nuclear Physics

- It deals with the nucleus as a system consisting of a nucleons (protons and neutrons).
- Studies nuclear reactions and special properties of atomic nuclei.
- It is the study of the protons and neutrons at the center of an atom and the interaction that
hold them together in a space. Example nuclear reactions includes radioactive decay, fission,
the break-up of nucleus, and fusion, the merging of nuclei.

Relativity

- Relativity, wide-ranging physical theories formed by the German-born physicist Albert

Einstein. With his theories of special relativity (1905) and general relativity (1915), Einstein
overthrew many assumptions underlying earlier physical theories, redefining in the process
the fundamental concepts of space, time, matter, energy, and gravity. Along with quantum
mechanics, relativity is central to modern physics. In particular, relativity provides the basis
for understanding cosmic processes and the geometry of the universe itself.
- “General relativity” is concerned with gravity, one of the fundamental forces in the universe. 
-
“Special relativity” is limited to objects that are moving with respect to inertial frames of
reference.

Photoelectric Effect

- Photoelectric effect, phenomenon in which electrically charged particles are released from or
within a material when it absorbs electromagnetic radiation. The effect is often defined as the
ejection of electrons from a metal plate when light falls on it. In a broader definition,
the radiant energy may be infrared, visible, or ultraviolet light, X-rays, or gamma rays; the
material may be a solid, liquid, or gas; and the released particles may be ions (electrically
charged atoms or molecules) as well as electrons. The phenomenon was fundamentally
significant in the development of modern physics because of the puzzling questions it raised
 about the nature of light—particle versus wavelike behavior—that were finally resolved
by Albert Einstein in 1905. The effect remains important for research in areas from materials
science to astrophysics, as well as forming the basis for a variety of useful devices.

Wave-particle duality

- Wave-particle duality, possession by physical entities (such as  light  and  electrons) of both
wavelike and particle-like characteristics. On the basis of experimental evidence, German
physicist  Albert Einstein  first showed (1905) that  light, which had been considered a form
of  electromagnetic waves, must also be thought of as particle-like, localized in packets of
discrete  energy. The observations of the  Compton effect  (1922) by American physicist  Arthur
Holly Compton  could be explained only if light had a wave-particle duality. French
physicist  Louis de Broglie  proposed (1924) that  electrons  and other discrete bits of matter,
which until then had been conceived only as material particles, also have  wave  properties
such as  wavelength  and  frequency. Later (1927) the wave nature of electrons was
experimentally established by American physicists  Clinton Davisson  and  Lester Germer  and
independently by English physicist  George Paget Thomson. An understanding of the
complementary relation between the wave aspects and the particle aspects of the same
phenomenon was announced by Danish physicist  Niels Bohr  in 1928 

Bohr Model

Bohr model, description of the structure of atoms, especially that of hydrogen, proposed
(1913) by the Danish physicist Niels Bohr. The Bohr model of the atom, a radical departure
from earlier, classical descriptions, was the first that incorporated quantum theory and was
the predecessor of wholly quantum-mechanical models. The Bohr model and all of its
successors describe the properties of atomic electrons in terms of a set of allowed (possible)
values. Atoms absorb or emit radiation only when the electrons abruptly jump between
allowed, or stationary, states. Direct experimental evidence for the existence of such discrete
states was obtained (1914) by the German-born physicists James Franck and Gustav Hertz.
Bohr atomic model of a nitrogen atom
Bohr atomic model of a nitrogen atom.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
1.2 OTHER TOPICS THAT CONTRIBUTES THE DEVELOPMENT OF
MODERN PHYSICS
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Application

1. It is a pillar of Modern Physics that says in describing the universe, it is important to realize that time,
space, and speed are not absolute. Instead they can appear different to different observers.

2. Who is the father of Relativity?

3. Who is the father of Quantum Physics?

4-5 What are the two pillars of Modern Physics?

6. Type of physics that deals with the underlying structure of the smallest particle in nature (Quantum
Mechanics), as well as a rigorous understanding of the fundamental interaction of particles, understood
as forces.

7. ________ that is on scale that can be studied with the largely unaided five human senses.

8. Type of physics that deals with the topics in the macroscopic scales.

9. What do you call the physics that is developed from the Renaissance to the end of the 19th century?

10. It is the pillar of Modern Physics that deals with the very small, namely, the subatomic particles that
make up atoms.

11. _______is the smallest unit of element.

12-13 This smallest unit of elements are constructed of even smaller sub atomic particles such as:
______, ____, _____. (Give only 2)

14. Give example of practical use of quantum mechanics.

15. Give example of practical use of relativity.

Reflection
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REFERENCES

Bantilan, Monica Montaña and Montaña, Rizalina Asuncion. College Physics. Manila, Philippines: Rex
Book Store

EXCEL ACADEMIC COUNCIL 2009. Complete Mathematics & Engineering Sciences & Applied Subjects
Theories & Formulas for Electrical Engineers Board Examinees & Students. Cebu City, Philippines: First
Benchmark Publisher Inc.

Brescia, Frank; Arents, John; Meislich, Herbert; and Turk, Amos. Fundamentals of Chemistry Fourth
Edition. Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines: Cacho Hermanos, Inc.

Brown, Larry and Holme, Tom. Chemistry for Engineering Second Edition. Printed in the Philippines:
ESP Printers, Inc.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/modern-physics

newscientist.com/term/quantum-physics

www.nuclear-power.net

Prepared by:

Alma Glori

Part-time Lecturer

Delicia C. Inghug, Ph. D.

Head College of Education