PHS3062 - Fundamental particle physics

Leader(s): Associate Professor Andrei Nikulin

Offered

Clayton Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit provides part of a major in experimental physics. It consists of two 12-lecture sub-units and laboratory work. Key areas are:

1. Nuclear Physics: nuclear systematics, nuclear forces, potentials and energy spectra, shell model concepts, with the aim of understanding the formation of low-lying excited states, nuclear decay modes, nucleon emission, beta decay and EM transitions;
2. Elementary Particles: experimental methods used in contemporary particle physics and the fundamental properties that classify leptons, hadrons and quarks, the role of conservation laws and symmetry in the production of and interactions between elementary particles, quantum chromo-dynamics, strong and weak interactions, the cosmological implications.

Objectives

On completion of this unit students will be able to: understand fundamental concepts used to describe nuclear systematics, nuclear models and nuclear structure, the properties of elementary particles, their interactions and role in cosmological evolution, be able to identify and apply theoretical relationships that quantify nuclear and particle properties, perform a series of measurements on experiments related to the above topics and write up professional reports that present results obtained from experiments, analysis and critical discussion.

Assessment

Examination (3 hours): 48%
Laboratory work: 34%
Assignments: 18%
Students must achieve a pass mark in the practical component to achieve an overall pass grade.

Contact hours

An average of 2 hours lectures, 1.5 hours tutorial and 2.5 hours laboratory work per week

Prerequisites

PHS2011, PHS2022, MTH2010, MTH2032

Prohibitions

ASP3222