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Lecture
outlines and sample questions (Subject to change)
General References:
Class lecture notes and general physics texts provide background. In
addition, the
hyperphysics website provides some useful notes. interactive
site.
1107 ORIGINS OF MODERN
PHYSICS
(Hilary term - 12 lectures)
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Syllabus: Photoelectric effect,
wave-particle duality, Bohr model, de Broglie hypothesis, electron
diffraction, uncertainty principle. Nuclear Physics: isotopes,
radioactivity, half-life, fission, fusion, nuclear safety, nuclear
weapons and nuclear reactors.
Outline: The period between the
mid-19th. century and mid-20th. century when rapid growth in our
knowledge of the small-scale world of the atom and the nucleus will be
examined under the various syllabus headings. Practical examples of the
application of these ideas will be discussed where possible.
References: Aside from the lecture notes
given in class, and the recommended text for this course (
"College Physics" (with PhysicsNow), by Raymond A. Serway, Jerry S. Faughn, Chris Vuille, Charles A. Bennett, Thomson - Brooks/Cole, 7th edn.
- also described as Serway's College Physics) the following provide some additional
information:
)
Supporting
information for lecture course
Tutorial
questions
Periodic
table for use with tutorial questions
Equation quick
reference (Word document)
2008 INTRODUCTORY ASTRONOMY (Trinity term - 12 lectures)
Syllabus: Basic
astronomical definitions. The Earth and Moon in space; co-ordinate
systems. The Sun and stars, basic stellar information (distance,
luminosity, life cycle). Life and death of stars.
Supporting
information for lecture course
>>> Tutorial suggested answers now added <<<
3020 ASTRONOMICAL
SPECTROSCOPY [AP only] (Trinty term - 8 lectures)
Syllabus:
Spectra of different categories of object (nebulae, stars, galaxies,
and quasars); the instrumental and observational requirements for their
study. The theoretical background, including spectral line production
and radiation transfer; optical depth, line broadening, equivalent
width and column density; curve-of-growth techniques. Practical
examples which demonstrate applications of these basic tools of
astrophysical analysis to the determination of physical
characteristics. The physics underlying the basis of the stellar
spectral classification system, and for the diagnosis of low density
plasmas.
Outline:
Spectroscopy across the full electromagnetic spectrum is the primary
means for determining the properties and characteristics of
astronomical objects. Some important parameters which characterize
astronomical spectra, and which determine the choice of instrumentation
are reviewed, with a brief outline of some examples. The underlying
physics required for the interpretation of stellar spectra (for stellar
classification) and for the diagnostics of low density plasmas is
discussed and applied to some specific, topical examples.
Supporting
information for lecture course
`To teach is to learn twice.' - Joseph Joubert
Teaching (TCD only)
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Teaching
(TCD only) | Student info |
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