BSc Physics with Astrophysics

Physics of the Solar System

To show how many Solar System phenomena may be understood in terms of the physics already known to first year students.

ILO 1 - Explain the origin of concepts of date and time in motions within the solar system.
ILO 2 - Apply dynamical principles to understand gravitational phenomena in the solar system, including orbits, space travel and tides.
ILO 3 - Describe key features of the energy generation and internal structure of the Sun and explain how these can be determined from observation.
ILO 4 - Describe and use techniques to determine the internal structure of planets and physical properties of their surfaces and atmospheres.
ILO 5 - Explain current ideas for the origin of the solar system

       1. Overview of the Solar System

General description and inventory. Coordinates and time keeping. Date & time in the solar system

       2. Gravity

Kepler's laws; energy; orbits; space travel; tides.

       3. The Sun

Plasma and magnetism; nuclear energy and solar neutrinos; helioseismology.

       4. Planetary atmospheres

Origins; equilibrium temperatures; pressure and temperature profiles; atmospheric escape; composition; clouds; climate. 

       5. Planetary surfaces

Impact craters.  Isotope dating. 

       6. Planetary interiors

Moments of inertia; seismology; volcanoes & plate tectonics; heating & cooling; magnetic fields. 

       7. The formation of the solar system

Interstellar origins; planet formation; future evolution.

The course content is delivered via lectures (with notes and recordings available online) and interactive sessions in which solutions to problems will be discussed. Weekly online quizzes with automatic feedback will help with embedding course content. Weekly formative problem sheets with model solutions are also presented online.

Students will receive feedback on a number of optional problem sheets.There will also be weekly quizzes to provide feedback on understanding.

An Introduction to the Solar System, revised ed., 2011, Rothery, McBride & Gilmour (Cambridge University Press)