Hobart
Offered subject to student demand/lecturer availability
Introduction
The statistical mechanics component builds upon the basic foundations of statistical physics dealing with equilibrium quantum and classical gases. Topics include Liouville's theorem and the Boltzmann equation, and applications to transport processes such as diffusion, electrical and thermal conductivity and the Hall effect; fluctuations around equilibrium, random walks; and introduction to phase transitions.
The plasma physics component provides an introduction to the basic properties of plasmas, such as Debye shielding, the plasma parameter and the plasma frequency. We also investigate scattering of charged particles, Thomson scattering, small and large angle collisions in plasmas. Single particle motions within a plasma are studied, including E x B drift, Grad B drift, curvature and polarization drift. This leads to investigations of conservation of magnetic moment and other adiabatic invariants, magnetic mirrors and Fermi acceleration. Concluding with an examination of waves in plasmas, including Langmuir waves and ion plasma waves.
Summary 2021
Unit name | Advanced Astrophysics |
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Unit code | KYA428 |
Credit points | 12.5 |
Faculty/School | College of Sciences and Engineering School of Natural Sciences |
Discipline | Physics |
Teaching staff | Dr P Jarvis and Assoc Prof S Ellingsen |
Level | Honours |
Available as student elective? | No |
Breadth Unit? | No |
Availability
Note
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TNE Program units special approval requirements.
* The Final WW Date is the final date from which you can withdraw from the unit without academic penalty, however you will still incur a financial liability (see withdrawal dates explained for more information).
Fees
Teaching
Teaching Pattern | 2x1-hr lectures per week |
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Assessment | weekly homework tasks; 2 hour test; assignment sets. |
Timetable | View the lecture timetable | View the full unit timetable |
Textbooks
Required | Information about any textbook requirements will be available from mid November. |
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The University reserves the right to amend or remove courses and unit availabilities, as appropriate.