- UCAS course code
- F305
- UCAS institution code
- M20
Course unit details:
Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics
Unit code | PHYS30121 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 10 |
Unit level | Level 3 |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics
Pre/co-requisites
Unit title | Unit code | Requirement type | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Quantum Physics and Relativity | PHYS10121 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics | PHYS20101 | Pre-Requisite | Compulsory |
Aims
To introduce the fundamental constituents of matter and the forces between them, and to explore how these lead to the main features of the structure and interactions of subatomic systems (particles and nuclei).
Learning outcomes
On completion successful students will be able to:
1. Outline the basic constituents of matter and the fundamental forces between them.
2. Represent elementary processes by simple Feynman diagrams.
3. Use symmetries and conservation laws to identify the forces responsible for particular
reactions and decays.
4. Use the quark model to explain the patterns of light hadrons.
5. Use simple models to explain the patterns of nuclear masses, sizes and decays.
6. Apply the independent-particle model to simple ground-state properties of nuclei.
Syllabus
1. Basic concepts
Quarks, hadrons and leptons
Strong, electromagnetic and weak forces
Symmetries and conservation laws
Parity and charge conjugation
Feynman diagrams and exchange forces
Decay rates and scattering cross sections
Quark model for light hadrons
Parity violation in the weak interaction
2. Nuclei
Nuclear forces
Nuclear sizes
Semi-empirical mass formula
Nuclear stability
Alpha decay
Shell model
3. Particles
Three generations
Flavours and flavour mixing
Quark model with three flavours
Heavy-quark hadrons
CP violation
The origin (s) of mass
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
---|---|
Written exam | 100% |
Feedback methods
Feedback will be offered by tutors in example classes. These classes will be based on weekly example sheets; solutions will be issued.
Recommended reading
Recommended texts:
B. R. Martin, Nuclear and Particle Physics: An Introduction, 2nd ed. (Wiley)
Supplementary reading:
S. S. M. Wong, Introductory Nuclear Physics (Wiley)
K. S. Krane, Introductory Nuclear Physics (Wiley)
B. R. Martin and G. Shaw, Particle Physics (Wiley)
D. H. Perkins, Introduction to High Energy Physics (CUP)
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
---|---|
Assessment written exam | 1.5 |
Lectures | 22 |
Independent study hours | |
---|---|
Independent study | 76.5 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
---|---|
Yvonne Peters | Unit coordinator |
Tobias Wright | Unit coordinator |