Subatomic Physics (U04265)

? Credit Points : 10 ? SCQF Level : 10 ? Acronym : PHY-4-Subatom

Subatomic physics provides an introduction to the physics within the nucleus, exploring the consequences of quantum physics at the high energies, and short distances, explored by nuclear and particle physics.

We will begin with a review of relativistic and quantum mechanics, the symmetries of fermions and bosons, and the forces of nature. We will go on to explore the nature of these forces in the nuclear and particle physics domain, and see how they are related to decays and scattering processes.

We will introduce the fundamental particles and composite states, including nuclei, which appear on subatomic scales and investigate the quantum numbers and symmetries associated with the interactions of these particles. We will discuss the models used to describe the phenomena observed on the subatomic scale, and explore both their many successes and their shortcomings.

We will also discuss the experimental methods used to explore the subatomic world.

Entry Requirements

? Pre-requisites : At least 40 credit points accrued in courses of SCQF Level 9 or 10 drawn from Schedule Q.

? Prohibited combinations : U03232 Physics 3, U01360 Nuclear & Particle Physics

Variants

? This course has variants for part year visiting students, as follows

Subatomic Physics (VS1) (Not being delivered)

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Undergraduate (School of Physics and Astronomy), (School of Physics and Astronomy, Schedule Q)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : 4th year

? Delivery Period : Not being delivered

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

All of the following classes

Type	Day	Start	End	Area
Lecture	Monday	09:00	10:50	KB

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

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course a student should comprehend the physics and phenomena that appear on subatomic scales and solve unseen problems relating to these areas. In particular, the student should be able to:

• Identify the forces acting at the subatomic scale.

• Explain the interactions, decays and scatterings, resulting from the subatomic forces. Be able to illustrate these processes and evaluate the probability of these interactions for some key processes.

• Explain the quantum, relativistic and statistical nature of these interactions.

• Recognise the symmetries and conservation laws relating to these forces.

• Identify the forces acting at the subatomic scale and understand the quantum and relativistic nature of these interactions.

• Describe the fundamental particles (quarks, leptons and gauge bosons). Describe and understand the composite particles made from fundamental particles (mesons, baryons and nuclei).

• Discuss the quantum numbers and properties of these particles, such as mass, charge, colour charge, angular momentum, spin, parity, magnetic moment, ground and excited states.

• Describe the experimental techniques used to explore the subatomic world.

• Compare theoretical descriptions of nuclei such as liquid drop, shell and collective models.

• Interpret the semi-empirical mass formula for nuclei and apply to binding energies and nuclear stability.

• Describe qualitatively the Standard Model of Particle Physics and illustrate its main features.