PHY3207 Nuclear and High-Energy Particle Physics
2007-2008
Code: PHY3207
Title: Nuclear and High-Energy Particle Physics
Instructors: Staff of Foreign Host Institution
CATS credits: 15
ECTS credits: 7.5
Availability: Physics programmes with study abroad only
Level: 3
Pre-requisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Background Assumed: -
Duration: As agreed
Directed Study Time: 45 lectures (approx)
Private Study Time: 105 hours (approx)
Assessment Tasks Time: -
Observation report: not applicable
Aims
Nuclear physics is an important area of application of the
ideas of quantum physics, with applications that have significant impact globally.
High-energy particle physics discovers and tests the laws of physics at the extreme limits
accessible to human experiments. This module will provide a sound understanding
of the physical principles underlying these areas.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Students should be able to:
Module Specific Skills
- explain the basic concepts of nuclear physics;
- be able to apply them to the spectra and stability of nuclear systems;
- describe the principles of fission and fusion;
- identify sequences of particles as energy excitations of a ground state;
- identify the quantum numbers that distinguish these sequences and use
their conservation to analyse production processes;
- state the relevant conservation laws and use them in analysing meson decays;
- describe the basic weak interaction processes and the
significant experiments that elucidate the nature of these;
- describe the quark model and be able to construct
the quark composition of particles;
- explain the significance of symmetry to the multiplet-structure
of elementary particles;
- solve problems on topics included in the syllabus.
Discipline Specific Skills
- select appropriate methods to detect radiation;
- study successfully within the system of an overseas university.
Personal and Key Skills
- manage their own learning and make appropriate use of support material.
Learning and Teaching Methods
These follow local practice at the host institution, typically lectures
and/or directed self-study. Courses may also include
laboratory exercises and homework problems.
Assignments
Follow host institution's conventions.
Assessment
As specified by host institution, typically homework assignments and a final
examination.
Syllabus Plan and Content
- Nuclear Physics
- Nuclear models and nuclear properties; detection methods.
- Radioactive decay (alpha, beta, gamma).
- Nuclear reactions, fission and fusion.
- Leptons, nucleons, hadrons, quarks and baryons; symmetries and groups.
- High-Energy Physics
- QED
Relativistic quantum theory of electromagnetic interactions; antiparticles, electrodynamics of spinless particles, Dirac equation, electrodynamics of spin-1/2 particles.
- Partons
Structure of hadrons, gluons.
- QCD
Relativistic quantum theory of the strong interactions of quarks and gluons.
- Weak-interactions
General structure, non-conservation of parity, massive neutrinos, neutrino experiments. Inverse [beta] decay. Two-neutrino experiment. CP violation in [beta] decay.
- Gauge symmetries
Gauge bosons.
Recommended Modules and Texts in Host Institution
Host Institution | Module | Text |
Auckland | Physics 356 (S2) | W.S.C. Williams, Nuclear and High-Energy Particle Physics |
Central Michigan | | Not available, take PHY3135 at Stage 4. |
Iowa State | 537 (Spring) | D. Griffiths, Introduction to Elementary Particles |
Kansas | 641 (Spring) | K Krane, Introductory Nuclear Physics |
Massey | | Not available, take PHY3135 at Stage 4. |
New Mexico | 540 (According to demand) | To be advised. |
Sydney | 3979 (2) | Eisberg and Resnick, Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids Nuclei and Particles |
Wollongong | 375 (Spring) | K.S. Krane, Introductory Nuclear Physics |
Core Text
Not applicable
Supplementary Text(s)
Not applicable
Formative Mechanisms
Follow host institution's conventions.
Evaluation Mechanisms
In addition to using the host institution's systems, students
can raise any matters of concern with the
Stage 3 Study
Abroad Co-ordinator.