MPhys Physics with Astrophysics

Physics of Energy Sources

To understand the physical background and mechanisms associated with power generation and related issues.

On completion successful students will be able to:

1. understand the forms of energy, its production, transport and storage
2. understand basic nuclear physics and interactions with matter
3. understand the conditions necessary for sustainable chain reactions in fissile material
4. understand the design criteria for the control of a nuclear reactor
5. understand the principles of nuclear fusion useful in power generation and stellar fusion
6. understand physical ideas and issues associated with renewable forms of energy including solar, wind, waves, tidal and geothermal.

1.     Introduction – Energy requirements and climate impacts (2 lectures)

The greenhouse effect.

Energy requirements, consumption. 

2.     Biological forms of energy (2 lectures)

Fossil fuels.

Energy transformation – Power plant.

Biofuels.

3.     Basic Nuclear Physics (3 lectures)

The atom.  Radioactivity and decay laws.

Interaction of radiation with matter.

4.     Nuclear Fission (3 lectures)

         Principles of nuclear fission.

         Chain reaction dynamics.

         Reactor types and control.

         Current status of nuclear fission as a power source.

5.     Nuclear Fusion (3 lectures)

         Principle and energetics of nuclear fusion (in stars and on Earth).

         Thermonuclear fusion, fuels, ignition and the Lawson criterion.

         Magnetic and inertial confinement

         Current status of nuclear fusion as a power source.

         Stellar fusion, proton-proton chain and CNO cycle.

6.     Solar Power (2 lectures)

         Solar thermal

         Solar photovoltaic

7.     Wind, waves, tides (5 lectures)

         Power from fluids. Nature of wind, wind power. Wind turbines. Betz criterion.

         Principles of water waves, energy and power. Wave power extraction.

         Origin and properties of tides. Tidal stream power and tidal range power.

8.     Energy transportation and storage (2 lectures) 

        Energy Transportation

        Hydro power

Feedback will be available on students’ individual written solutions to examples sheets, which will be marked, and model answers will be issued.

Recommended Texts: 

Jaffe, R.L & Taylor, W. The Physics of Energy (Cambridge University Press 2018)

King G. The Physics of Energy Sources

Krane K. S. Introductory Nuclear Physics, (Wiley 1987)

MacKay, D.J.C. Sustainable energy - without the hot air (UIT Cambridge 2009)

Twidell, J. W. & Weir, A. D. Renewable energy resources, (Spon 1986) 

Tuition fees for home students commencing their studies in September 2027 will be £10,050 per annum. Tuition fees for international students will be £40,300 per annum.

For general information please see the undergraduate finance pages.

All students should normally be able to complete their programme of study without incurring additional study costs over and above the tuition fee for that programme. Any unavoidable additional compulsory costs totalling more than 1% of the annual home undergraduate fee per annum, regardless of whether the programme in question is undergraduate or postgraduate taught, will be made clear to you at the point of application. Further information can be found in the University's Policy on additional costs incurred by students on undergraduate and postgraduate taught programmes (PDF document, 91KB).

The University of Manchester is committed to attracting and supporting the very best students. We have a focus on nurturing talent and ability and we want to make sure that you have the opportunity to study here, regardless of your financial circumstances.

For information about scholarships and bursaries please visit our undergraduate student finance pages and our Department funding pages .