units

ASP3222

Faculty of Science

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Monash University

Monash University Handbook 2010 Undergraduate - Unit

6 points, SCA Band 0 (NATIONAL PRIORITY), 0.125 EFTSL

LevelUndergraduate
FacultyFaculty of Science
OfferedClayton Second semester 2010 (Day)
Coordinator(s)Dr Michael Brown

Synopsis

This unit consists of three lecture sub-units and a practical component:

  • Nuclear physics: nuclear stability, shell model and angular momentum, radioactive decay selection rules, the neutrino and Fermi theory of beta decay, nuclear force;
  • Evolution of massive stars and synthesis of chemical elements; creation of supernova remnants and neutron stars, and types of continuum and line emission produced; interpreting X-ray spectra in relation to physical and chemical properties of these objects;
  • Elementary particles: spin, parity, isotopic spin, strangeness and baryon/lepton number, conservation laws of the fundamental interactions, symmetry theories.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  • describe nuclear systematics, nuclear models and nuclear structure;
  • understand the evolution and nucleosynthesis in massive stars; continuum radiation, collisional plasmas and atomic line emission in X-ray band from supernova remnants; nuclear processes as the supernova shock wave propagates through the star;
  • relate observed X-ray spectra to structure and dynamics of supernova remnants and neutron stars:
  • describe the properties of elementary particles, their interactions and role in cosmological evolution;
  • undertake computation and analysis quantifying nuclear, stellar and particle properties;
  • present results, analysis and critical discussion based on a selected astrophysics topic.

Assessment

Examinations (4.5 hours at 1.5 hours each): 72%
Assignments and Practical: 28%

Chief examiner(s)

Dr. Michael Brown

Contact hours

Three 1-hour lectures and an average of 2 hours tutorial/practical per week

Prerequisites

PHS2011, PHS2022, MTH2010, MTH2032

Prohibitions

PHS3062