Understanding Modern Physics II: Quantum Mechanics and Atoms (Coursera)

Understanding Modern Physics II: Quantum Mechanics and Atoms (Coursera)

The 20th century was known as the century of physics. In the past 120 years, concepts such as space, time, energy, entropy and particles were understood to much deeper levels. New paradigms of thinking such as relativity and quantum mechanics emerged. This course is the second course in the Understanding Modern Physics series, which covers an introduction to quantum mechanics, atomic physics and quantum information.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

We will find
(i) How the quantum world is different from our everyday experience, and why we need quantum mechanics;
(ii) How to describe atoms in fundamental physics, why atoms do not collapse, and what are the atomic states;
(iii) The nature of quantum information, and why quantum information is much richer than classical information.

What You Will Learn

  • Introduction to quantum mechanics, atomic physics and quantum information

Syllabus

WEEK 1: Quantum Mechanics: Waves, Particles and Measurements
WEEK 2: Quantum Mechanics: Schrodinger Equation
WEEK 3: Atoms
WEEK 4: Quantum Information

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

Related Courses

The Science of Gastronomy (Coursera) Coursera
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology - HKUST

The Science of Gastronomy (Coursera)

This course introduces a number of basic scientific principles underpinning the methodology of cooking, food preparation and the enjoyment of food. All topics covered have a strong basis in biology, chemistry, and physics application. Among others, they include the consumption of cooked food, the physiological and evolutionary implication of the senses, geographic and cultural influences on food, and the rationale behind food preparation. We will also discuss issues such as coupling of senses to improve sense stimulation; altering flavor by chemical means; and modification of the coloration to improve the appearance of dishes. Following the video demonstrations of the scientific principles of cooking, you will learn to recognize the key ingredients and their combinations for preparing good healthy food.

Sep 1st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Density Functional Theory (Coursera) Coursera
École Polytechnique

Density Functional Theory (Coursera)

The aim of this course is to give a thorough introduction to Density Functional Theory (DFT). DFT is today the most widely used method to study interacting electrons, and its applicability ranges from atoms to solid systems, from nuclei to quantum fluids. In this course, we introduce the most important concepts underlying DFT, its foundation, and basic ideas. We will in particular stress the features and reasons that lead DFT to become the dominant method for simulating quantum mechanical systems.

Aug 24th 2026
3 Weeks
The Sun and the Total Eclipse of August 2017 (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

The Sun and the Total Eclipse of August 2017 (Coursera)

A total eclipse is one of the most spectacular sights you can ever see! It looks like the end of the world may be at hand. There is a black hole in the sky where the sun should be. Pink flames of solar prominences and long silver streamers of the sun's corona stretch across the sky. It gets cold, and animals do strange things. People scream and shout and cheer, and remember the experience their whole life. But total eclipses are important scientifically as well.

Aug 31st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Quantum Mechanics (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Quantum Mechanics (Coursera)

Course 2 of Statistical Thermodynamics presents an introduction to quantum mechanics at a level appropriate for those with mechanical or aerospace engineering backgrounds. Using a postulatory approach that describes the steps to follow, the Schrodinger wave equation is derived and simple solutions obtained that illustrate atomic and molecular structural behavior. More realistic behavior is also explored along with modern quantum chemistry numerical solution methods for solving the wave equation.

Aug 17th 2026
3 Weeks
Fundamentals of Macroscopic and Microscopic Thermodynamics (Coursera) Coursera
University of Colorado Boulder

Fundamentals of Macroscopic and Microscopic Thermodynamics (Coursera)

Course 1 first explores the basics of both macroscopic and microscopic thermodynamics from a postulatory point of view. In this view, the meaning of temperature, thermodynamic pressure and chemical potential are especially clear and easy to understand. In addition, the development of the Fundamental Relation and its various transformations leads to a clear path to property relations and to the concept of ensembles needed to understand the relationship between atomic and molecular structural properties and macroscopic properties.

Aug 17th 2026
3 Weeks
Conceptos y Herramientas para la Física Universitaria (Coursera) Coursera
Tecnológico de Monterrey

Conceptos y Herramientas para la Física Universitaria (Coursera)

Este curso provee al estudiante con conceptos y herramientas matemáticas para modelar problemas en física, que al aplicar podrá enfrentar con éxito los cursos de física universitarios. Así pues, la filosofía de este curso consiste en cubrir temas conceptuales relativos a la Física y desarrollar tu capacidad de aprender y aplicarlos en tu vida profesional.

Aug 17th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to Particle Accelerators (NPAP MOOC) (Coursera) Coursera
Lund University

Introduction to Particle Accelerators (NPAP MOOC) (Coursera)

Welcome to the Nordic Particle Accelerator Program's (NPAP) Massive Open Online Courses and to the fascinating world of particle accelerators! Did you know that in the year of 2000 there were more than 15 000 particle accelerators in the world? Yet, today it has grown to more than 30 000 of them! A third of the particle accelerators are dedicated to medical applications, such as radio therapy, and a half are used for ion implantation in semiconductor devices.

Aug 31st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Mechanics: Motion, Forces, Energy and Gravity, from Particles to Planets (Coursera) Coursera
UNSW Sydney - University of New South Wales

Mechanics: Motion, Forces, Energy and Gravity, from Particles to Planets (Coursera)

Most of the phenomena in the world around you are, at the fundamental level, based on physics, and much of physics is based on mechanics. Mechanics begins by quantifying motion, and then explaining it in terms of forces, energy and momentum. This allows us to analyse the operation of many familiar phenomena around us, but also the mechanics of planets, stars and galaxies.

Aug 17th 2026
5-12 Weeks
AstroTech: The Science and Technology behind Astronomical Discovery (Coursera) Coursera
University of Edinburgh

AstroTech: The Science and Technology behind Astronomical Discovery (Coursera)

Modern astronomy has made some astonishing discoveries - how stars burn and how black holes form; galaxies from the edge of the universe and killer rocks right next door; where the elements come from and how the expanding universe is accelerating. But how do we know all that? The truth is that astronomy would be impossible without technology, and every advance in astronomy is really an advance in technology. But the technology by itself is not enough. We have to apply it critically with a knowledge of physics to unlock the secrets of the Universe.

Aug 24th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Introduction to Thermodynamics: Transferring Energy from Here to There (Coursera) Coursera
University of Michigan

Introduction to Thermodynamics: Transferring Energy from Here to There (Coursera)

This course provides an introduction to the most powerful engineering principles you will ever learn - Thermodynamics: the science of transferring energy from one place or form to another place or form. We will introduce the tools you need to analyze energy systems from solar panels, to engines, to insulated coffee mugs. More specifically, we will cover the topics of mass and energy conservation principles; first law analysis of control mass and control volume systems; properties and behavior of pure substances; and applications to thermodynamic systems operating at steady state conditions.

Aug 24th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Understanding Modern Physics I: Relativity and Cosmology (Coursera) Coursera
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology - HKUST

Understanding Modern Physics I: Relativity and Cosmology (Coursera)

The 20th century was known as the century of physics. In the past 120 years, concepts such as space, time, energy, entropy and particles were understood to much deeper levels. New paradigms of thinking such as relativity and quantum mechanics emerged. This course is the first course in the Understanding Modern Physics series, which covers an introduction to special relativity, general relativity and cosmology.

Aug 31st 2026
5-12 Weeks