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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2006/2007
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Home : College of Science and Engineering : School of Physics (Schedule Q) : Undergraduate (School of Physics)

Astrophysics 3 (VS1) (U03504)

? Credit Points : 10  ? SCQF Level : 10  ? Acronym : PHY-3-VS1Ap3

Students are introduced to the physics of stars and their influence on their galactic environment. The basic observational properties of stars are reviewed including the HR diagram, followed by a discussion of the physical structure of stars on the Main Sequence to their final states as exotic objects: white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes. The interactions of stars with their surroundings are described. Topics covered are HII regions around young stars, stellar winds, and supernova remnants.

Entry Requirements

? This course is only available to part year visiting students.

? This course is a variant of the following course : U03212

? Pre-requisites : Year 2 Physics and Mathematics

Subject Areas

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 3rd year

? Delivery Period : Semester 1 (Blocks 1-2)

? Contact Teaching Time : 3 hour(s) per week for 11 weeks

All of the following classes

Type Day Start End Area
Lecture Tuesday 12:10 13:00 Other
Lecture Friday 12:10 13:00 Other

? Additional Class Information : Workshop/tutorial sessions, as arranged.

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course it is intended that a student will be able to:
Stars:
1)describe physics of structure, apply hydrostatic equilibrium and radiative diffusion equations to get physical conditions/time scales
2)state energy production source and process
3)describe how energy produced at centre is transported, and relation to convective instability
4)describe colour-magnitude diagram on Main-sequence, based on physics
5)derive equation of state of degenerate gas, describe the degeneracy pressure and support of white dwarfs and neutron stars; explain Chandrasekhar limit
ISM:
6)explain photoionization equilibrium; estimate the Stromgren radius; describe how temperature and density are measured
7)describe fluid dynamics equations; derive sound speed, shock jump conditions
8)define equatorial coordinate system, local siderial time; explain where and when to undertake observations of an astronomical object
9)calculate and correct for the damage on light from both interstellar dust and the earth's atmosphere

Assessment Information

Degree Examination, 100%

Exam times

Diet Diet Month Paper Code Paper Name Length
1ST December 1 - 2 hour(s)

Contact and Further Information

The Course Secretary should be the first point of contact for all enquiries.

Course Secretary

Mrs Linda Grieve
Tel : (0131 6)50 5254
Email : linda.grieve@ed.ac.uk

Course Organiser

Dr Philip Best
Email : pnb@roe.ac.uk

School Website : http://www.ph.ed.ac.uk/

College Website : http://www.scieng.ed.ac.uk/

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