AST-4217/PHY-5904: "PHYSICS OF STARS" (Fall 2004)
AST-4217/PHY-5904: "PHYSICS OF STARS" (Fall 2004)
Credit:
3 semester hours.
Pre-requisites: PHY-3221 - Intermediate Mechanics
Co-requisites: PHY-4604 - Quantum Theory of Matter A
Astrophysics is of natural
interest to students and researchers alike and the workings of the Universe
captures our imagination perhaps more than anything else. The Physics
of Stars deals with the birth, evolution, and death of stars. It provides
and ideal framework for demonstrating the power and elegance of Physics.
Moreover, the Physics of Stars gives students a unique opportunity
to strengthen and apply their knowledge of classical, statistical, and
quantum mechanics to a gold-mine of problems in Astrophysics. A strong
emphasis will be placed on explaining the underlying Physics of Stars
through simple theoretical models.
Three giants of the Physics of Stars: Bethe, Chandrasekhar, and Einstein.
Hans Bethe was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1967 for
his contributions to the theory of nuclear reactions, especially his discoveries
concerning the energy production in stars. Subramanyan Chandrasekhar received
the Nobel Prize in 1983 for his theoretical studies of the physical
processes of importance to the structure and evolution of stars. Albert
Einstein received
the Nobel Prize in 1921 for his services
to Theoretical Physics, and especially for his discovery of the law of
the photoelectric effect. Of
course, the photoelectric effect has nothing to do with stars but "his services
to Theoretical Physics" in the form of the famous E=mc2 formula is crucial
to the understanding of energy generation in stars.
Course Outline:
| Basic Concepts in Astrophysics | Chapter 1 |
| Properties of Matter and Radiation | Chapter 2 |
| Heat Transfer in Stars | Chapter 3 |
| Thermonuclear Fusion in Stars | Chapter 4 |
| Stellar Structure | Chapter 5 |
| The Endpoints of Stellar Evolution | Chapter 6 |
Homeworks
| Number 1 |
Solutions |
| Number
2 |
Solutions |
| Number
3 |
Solutions |
| Number
4 |
Solutions |
| Number
5 |
Solutions |
Exams
| Midterm
1 |
Solutions |
| Midterm
2 |
Solutions |
Textbook:
A.C. Phillips, The
Physics of Stars, Second Edition (John
Wiley & Sons).
Reference articles and books:
Roger Balian and Jean-Paul Blaizot, "Stars
and Statistical Physics: A Teaching Experience"
Richard R. Silbar and Sanjay Reddy, "Neutron Stars
for Undergraduates"
Assessment:
| Homeworks | 35% |
| First Midterm | 15% |
| Second Midterm | 15% |
| Research Project | 35% |
Academic Honor Code:
Students are
expected to uphold the Academic Honor Code published in he Florida
State University Bulletin and the Student Handbook. The first paragraph
reads: The Academic Honor System of Florida State University is based
on the premise that each student has the responsibility (1) to uphold
the highest standards of academic integrity in the student's own work,
(2) to refuse to tolerate violations of academic integrity in the
University community, and (3) to foster a high sense of integrity and
social responsibility on the part of the University community.
ADA Statement:
Students with
disabilities needing academic accommodations should: a) register
with and provide documentation to the Student Disability Resource
Center SDRC; b) bring a letter to the instructor from SDRC indicating
that you need academic accommodations. Please do this during
the first week of class.
