Course syllabus

Astrofysik - stjärnor och kärnor
Astrophysics - Stars and Nuclei

FMFF10, 7,5 credits, G2 (First Cycle)

Valid for: 2012/13
Decided by: Education Board 1
Date of Decision: 2012-03-22

General Information

Language of instruction: The course will be given in English on demand

Aim

To give the student a good understanding of the processes that occured at "The Big Bang", that take place in the interior of stars and in connection with supernova explosions. Focus is put on the connection between these processes and the creation of the elements present in the universe today.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to describe and explain, using basic particle and nuclear physics, the processes which led to the creation of the elements present in today's universe.
• be able to briefly describe the development of the universe from "The Big Bang" to present time.
• be able to describe the major steps in the development of stars and their final stages.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• be able to read and understand scientific articles in the field and summarize them in a relevant way.
• be able to realize and and draw conclusions from the close connection between subatomic physics and large scale physics describing the development and expansion of the universe.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

be able to independently form an oppinion about the value and relevance of scientific information within the field covered by the course.

Contents

Basic concepts in astronomy, particle and nuclear physics. The early stages of the universe (the Big Bang, inflation in the early universe, the formation of galaxies and stars). Indications of dark matter and dark energy.The formation of light elements. Thermonuclear processes. The development of stars. Burning processes in normal stars. The formation of heavy elements. The r- s- and rp-processes. Supernova explosions, white dwarfs, neutron stars and black holes

Examination details

Grading scale: TH
Assessment: Written examination.

Admission

Required prior knowledge: Basic quantum mechanics and nuclear physics corresponding to FAFF10 Atomic and Nuclear Physics with Applications.
The number of participants is limited to: No
The course overlaps following course/s: FMF111

Reading list

• Material distributed in connection with the lectures.

Contact and other information

Course coordinator: Ragnar Bengtsson, ragnar.bengtsson@matfys.lth.se
Course coordinator: Ingemar Lundström, Ingemar.Lundstrom@astro.lu.se
Course homepage: http://www.matfys.lth.se/astrofysik.html
Further information: The course is given every second year (spring semester of 2012, 2014 etc.) in collaboration with Lund Observatory.