Undergraduate Course: Astrophysics 3 (VS1) (PHYS10075)
Course Outline
| School |
School of Physics and Astronomy |
College |
College of Science and Engineering |
| Course type |
Standard |
Availability |
Part-year visiting students only |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) |
SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Credits |
10 |
| Home subject area |
Undergraduate (School of Physics and Astronomy) |
Other subject area |
None |
| Course website |
None |
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| Course description |
Students are introduced to the physics of stars and their influence on their galactic environment. The basic observational properties of stars are reviewed including the HR diagram, followed by a discussion of the physical structure of stars on the Main Sequence to their final states as exotic objects: white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes. The interactions of stars with their surroundings are described - namely HII regions, stellar winds and supernova remnants.
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Entry Requirements
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites |
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| Prohibited Combinations |
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Other requirements |
Year 2 Physics and Mathematics
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| Additional Costs |
None |
Course Delivery Information
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| Delivery period: 2010/11 Semester 1, Part-year visiting students only (VV1)
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WebCT enabled: No |
Quota: None |
| Location |
Activity |
Description |
Weeks |
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
| Other | Lecture | | 1-11 | | 12:10 - 13:00 | | | | | Other | Lecture | | 1-11 | | | | | 12:10 - 13:00 | | Other | Tutorial | | 2-11 | 11:10 - 13:00 | | | | |
| First Class |
Week 1, Tuesday, 11:10 - 12:00, Zone: Other. ROE Lecture Theatre |
| Additional information |
Workshop/tutorial sessions, as arranged. |
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, it is intended that the student will be able to :
1) Understand the physics behind the colour-magnitude diagram of stars.
2) Describe the physics of stellar structure, and apply hydrostatic equilibrium and radiative diffusion equations to get physical conditions and timescales.
3) Explain a star's energy production source and process, and describe how energy is transported out of a star.
4) Derive the equation of state of degenerate gas and describe the degeneracy pressure and support of white dwarfs and neutron stars.
5) Explain photoionization equilibrium, estimate the Stromgren radius and describe how the temperature and density of the intergalactic medium are measured.
6) Describe fluid dynamics equations, derive the sound speed and shock jump conditions, and explain the impact of stellar winds and supernovae on the intergalactic medium.
7) Correct for the effect on light of interstellar dust and the earth's atmosphere.
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Assessment Information
| Degree Examination, 100% |
Special Arrangements
| Not entered |
Contacts
| Course organiser |
Dr Philip Best
Tel:
Email: pnb@roe.ac.uk |
Course secretary |
Mrs Linda Grieve
Tel: (0131 6)50 5254
Email: linda.grieve@ed.ac.uk |
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copyright 2010 The University of Edinburgh -
1 September 2010 6:34 am
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