100 Most Popular Courses for November

Class Central is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Quantum Mechanics: 1D Scattering and Central Potentials

Massachusetts Institute of Technology via edX

Go to class Write review

This course may be unavailable.

Overview

Save Big on Coursera Plus. 7,000+ courses at $160 off. Limited Time Only!
Grab it

In this quantum physics course you will learn the basic concepts of scattering – phase-shifts, time delays, Levinson's theorem, and resonances – in the simple context of one-dimensional problems. We discuss barrier penetration and the Ramsauer-Townsend effect. We then turn to the study of angular momentum and the motion of particles in three-dimensional central potentials. We learn about the radial equation and study the case of the hydrogen atom in detail.

This is the final course in a series which includes:

  • Quantum Mechanics: Wavefunctions, Operators, and Expectation Values
  • Quantum Mechanics: Quantum Physics in 1D Potentials
  • Quantum Mechanics: 1D Scattering and Central Potentials

The series is based on MIT 8.04: Quantum Mechanics I. At MIT, 8.04 is the first of a three-course sequence in Quantum Mechanics, a cornerstone in the education of physics majors that prepares them for advanced and specialized studies in any field related to quantum physics. This online course follows the on-campus version and will be equally rigorous.

After completing the 8.04x series, you will be ready to tackle the Mastering Quantum Mechanics course series on edX, 8.05x.

Syllabus

None

Taught by

Barton Zwiebach , Jolyon Bloomfield and Saif Rayyan

Tags

Reviews

5.0 rating, based on 11 Class Central reviews

Start your review of Quantum Mechanics: 1D Scattering and Central Potentials

  • ParrotKnight
    This course is the best Quantum mechanics course that I have taken so far. The most valuable aspect of this course is that it helped me partially developed intuition in Quantum mechanics (QM). Before I took this course, I see QM as a subject that…
  • Niekrakhorst
    Somebody famous has said (maybe john von neumann?) : "it is not so much that you get to understand hard concepts, you just get used to them by working with them often". My problem with QM always has been that I was put off by its very weirdness,…
  • Walter Urbaniak
    I found Professor Zwiebach's 8.04x sequence to be excellent. I learned more and better than from prior courses and books. Lectures and lecture notes were excellent (I hope he turns his notes into a book). End of module exercises were challenging, of…
  • Anonymous
    Fantastic first QM course This course is not easy. It seems to be exactly the course that Physics majors at MIT would be required to take. Breaking it into 3 sections is a nice approach. There are many approaches to teaching QM (from the many bo…
  • Max Asbock
    I just finished the three-course 8.04.x Quantum Mechanics series. I find this course to be outstanding. Each element in the course is solid. Barton Zwiebach's lectures are well thought out and inspiring. They are complemented by complete lecture notes. Weekly homework and lecture questions reinforce the learned material. The finals were hard, but also gave you an honest assessment or your learning. The lively discussion forum played an important role in the class. Staff and community TAs were prompt to help. This course is not easy and requires substantial investment in time and work, but it is extremely rewarding.
  • Guidopaoluzicusani
    As of now, this sets the bar for QM introductory courses. Taken straight out of Prof. Zwiebach MIT class lectures, the course is top level under every aspect: top lectures, top exercises, top quizzes, top Forum and TA and so on. One drawback only: it is tough - it wouldn't be passed just watching the lectures; Make sure to put aside few hours a week to go through the course notes and download\buy a good QM introductory test otherwise failure is guaranteed. But it is worth the effort.
  • Anonymous
    Before taking the course, I never imagined there is so much in QM to learn. As someone from an engineering background, with a fair enough knowledge of calculus, this course was a perfect starting point.. The course is tough, but the instructor explains everything very clearly, and the course staff provides stellar help with questions on the discussion forums...
  • Profile image for José Antonio Vargas
    José Antonio Vargas
    This was an excellent course with a dedicated instructor and several teaching assistants.
    As an important part of the physics undergraduate curriculum, it covers basic material on quantum mechanics using calculus, elementary differential equations and linear algebra.
    This is probably one of the best introductions into the subject.
  • Michael A Scura
    Thanks to Professor Zwiebach, Staff and TAs for an outstanding course. The lectures, course notes, video exercises, HW Problems and Exams were on the highest level. I've taken dozens of MOOCs and 8.04x is in the top 2 of the best (the other being 8.05x).
    Highly recommended
  • Anonymous
    This is the best online course I have taken. A lot of effort has been put in the video lectures, lecture notes, the software for submitting answers. The course is beautifully structured. There is a lot to learn in this course. Amazing!
  • Abanoub Mikhail
    This course is awesome. I'd recommend it to who wants to understand quantum mechanics fundamentally. Believe me, It's intuitive, if I were you, I won't wast and time and start learning now.
Go to class

Never Stop Learning.

Get personalized course recommendations, track subjects and courses with reminders, and more.

Sign up for free
Someone learning on their laptop while sitting on the floor.