ASP3222

Physics for astrophysics II

Associate Professor Peter Wells (Department of Physics)

4 points
* Two 1-hour lectures per week
* Second semester
* Clayton Prerequisites: MAT2030, MAT2040, MAA2032 or MAT2072, and a minimum of 8 points of second-year physics, which must include the units `Quantum physics', `Thermodynamics' and `Atomic and nuclear physics'
* Recommendations: PHS2251 or ASP2031, PHS2262 or ASP2042

Objectives This subject is designed for students taking the full twenty-four point astrophysics sequence and who are not taking any other third-year physics subjects. Depending on the actual choice of units included in this subject, on its completion students will have a basic understanding of radiative processes in stars, and their effects on observable properties; understand sufficient nuclear or elementary particle physics to appreciate their roles in stellar structure and evolution and nucleosynthesis, or cosmic ray studies, exotic objects, and modern cosmology, respectively.

Synopsis This subject consists of a choice of any two of the third-year physics units `Stellar atmospheres', `Elementary particles', and `Nuclear physics'. The synopses for these are listed under the physics third-year entry in this handbook.

Assessment Examinations: 85%
* Assignments: 15%

Recommended texts

Bohm-Vitense E Introduction to stellar astrophysics vol. 2, Stellar atmospheres CUP, 1989
Krane W S Introduction to nuclear physics Wiley, 1987