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Semester 2

Nuclear Astrophysics (PHYS11053)

Subject

Physics and Astronomy

College

SCE

Credits

10

Normal Year Taken

4

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Course Summary

This is an introductory course in Nuclear Astrophysics, a subject in its own right that often drives major scientific and technological advances in modern day research both in nuclear physics and astrophysics. The course will build upon (and adds a layer of complexity to) the existing Nuclear Physics course and will provide an option for choice of specialized topics within Nuclear Physics (but also Astrophysics).

Course Description

Aspects of Nuclear Physics and Astrophysics: * Solar System abundances;* HR diagram;* Stellar evolution of single stars;* Binary stellar systems;* Review of nuclear properties (masses, binding energies,shell structure);* Overview of nuclear reactions. Thermonuclear Reactions in Stars: * Cross sections and astrophysical S-factor;* Resonant and non-resonant reactions;* Reactions with charged particles;* Reactions with neutron;* Reactions with photons;* Electron screening;* Reaction rates.Nucleosynthesis: * Hydrogen burning (pp chain and CNO cycle);* Helium burning;* Advanced burning stages (carbon-, neon-, oxygen-, and silicon-burning modes);* The s-process;* The r-process;* Other nucleosynthesis processes (rp-process, p-process);* Explosive nucleosynthesis.Nuclear Physics Experiments:* General aspects and Equipment; * Experiments with stable nuclei;* Experiments with unstable nuclei;* Targets and related equipment;* Detectors and techniques;* Yields and cross sections;* Recent experimental results.

Assessment Information

Written Exam 100%, Coursework 0%, Practical Exam 0%

Additional Assessment Information

100% exam

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