This course presents an introduction to quantum mechanics. It begins with an examination of the historical development of quantum theory, properties of particles and waves, wave mechanics and applications to simple systems — the particle in a box, the harmonic oscillator, the rigid rotor and the hydrogen atom. The lectures continue with a discussion of atomic structure and the Periodic Table. The final lectures cover applications to chemical bonding including valence bond and molecular orbital theory, molecular structure, spectroscopy.

Acknowledgements

The material for 5.61 has evolved over a period of many years, and, accordingly, several faculty members have contributed to the development of the course contents. The original version of the lecture notes that are available on OCW was prepared in the early 1990's by Prof. Sylvia T. Ceyer. These were revised and transcribed to electronic form primarily by Prof. Keith A. Nelson. The current version includes additional contributions by Professors Moungi G. Bawendi, Robert W. Field, Robert G. Griffin, Robert J. Silbey and John S. Waugh, all of whom have taught the course in the recent past.

Syllabus

Textbook

McQuarrie, Donald A. Quantum Chemistry. 2nd ed. Sausalito, CA: University Science Books, 2007. ISBN: 9781891389504.

Other Books

Atkins, P., and J. de Paula. Physical Chemistry. 7th ed. New York, NY: W.H. Freeman and Company, 2001. ISBN: 9780716735397.

Silbey, R., R. Alberty, and M. Bawendi. Physical Chemistry. 4th ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 2004. ISBN: 9780471215042.

Karplus, M., and R. Porter. Atoms and Molecules: An Introduction for Students of Physical Chemistry. Reading, MA: Addison Wesley, 1970. ISBN: 9780805352184.

Exams

There will be three one-hour examinations during the term and a regularly scheduled final examination. An information sheet summarizing details of the examinations will be distributed prior to each examination. All of the exams will be closed-notes and closed-book. Tutorial reviews will be held prior to each exam.

Homework

Problems will be assigned every week. Late problem sets are not accepted. Homework will be graded by the recitation instructor and returned in recitation.

Grading

A total of 600 points is possible in the course as follows:

Tutorial Reviews

These will be held prior to each exam.

Calendar

The calendar below provided information on the course's lecture (L) and exam (E) sessions.

Course calendar.

SES #	TOPICS	KEY DATES
L1	Historical development
L2	The atom of Niels Bohr
L3	Wave nature, de Broglie wavelength
L4	Uncertainty principle
L5	Stationary waves, Schrödinger equation	Problem set 1 due
L6	Particle in a box
L7	Probabilities, expectation values, operators I
L8	Probabilities, expectation values, operators II	Problem set 2 due
L9	Postulates of quantum mechanics I
L10	Postulates of quantum mechanics II	Problem set 3 due
L11	Classic harmonic oscillator
L12	Quantum harmonic oscillator
E1	First hour exam
L13	Tunneling
L14	Three dimensional systems	Problem set 4 due
L15	Rigid rotor
L16	Spherical harmonics
L17	Angular momenta
L18	Hydrogen atom I	Problem set 5 due
L19	Hydrogen atom II
L20	Variation principle
L21	Helium atom
E2	Second hour exam
L22	Hartree-Fock, SCF
L23	Electron spin	Problem set 6 due
L24	Pauli principle
L25	Born-Oppenheimer approximation
L26	Molecular orbital theory, H2+
L27	LCAO-MO theory	Problem set 7 due
E3	Third hour exam
L28	Qualitative molecular orbital theory
L29	Modern electronic structure theory
L30	Interaction of light with matter
L31	Vibrational spectra	Problem set 8 due
L32	NMR spectroscopy I
L33	NMR spectroscopy II
L34	Perturbation theory	Problem set 9 due
L35	Vibrational anharmonicity
L36	Crystal field states
E4	Final exam