Aims

To understand how we measure properties of astrophysical bodies (planets, stars, and galaxies).
To understand the application of basic physical laws to those bodies.
To gain a basic understanding of the principles of physical cosmology.
To give an understanding of electromagnetic fields, the resultant forces, the origins of electricity and magnetism, and the theorems required to evaluate field properties symbolically and quantitatively.

Outline Of Syllabus

1. Physical Principles
-Measuring Distances
-Newtons Law of Gravitation
-Kepler's Laws and Orbits
-Light (Blackbody Radiation, Spectra)

2 Stars
-Stellar Structure and Evolution
-End States of Stellar Evolution

3. Galaxies
-Galactic Evolution + Morphology
-Scaling laws
-Dark Matter

4. Cosmology
-Expansion of the Universe
-Cosmic Inventory

5. Electrostatics
-Origin of charge and forces between charges:- electric field, potential energy, capacitance, dielectrics, electric flux, dispersion and circulation;
-Coulomb’s a and Gauss’ laws;

6. Magnetic Fields
-The concept of a magnetic field, dispersion and circulation, circuit laws, flow concepts, flux, inductance, flux density, mmf, mmf gradient.
-Ampere’s, Biot-Savart, Faraday’s and Gauss’ laws for magnetism.
-Magnetic materials including ferromagnetism and hysteresis
-forces of attraction and alignment; force on current carrying conductors.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Non-synchronous online materials are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, illustrated with examples, and for giving general feedback on assessed work. Present-in-person and synchronous online sessions are used to help develop the students’ abilities at applying the theory to solving problems and to identify and resolve specific queries raised by students, and to allow students to receive individual feedback on marked work. Students who cannot attend a present-in-person session will be provided with an alternative activity allowing them to access the learning outcomes of that session. In addition, office hours/discussion board activity will provide an opportunity for more direct contact between individual students and the lecturer: a typical student might spend a total of one or two hours over the course of the module, either individually or as part of a group.
Alternatives will be offered to students unable to be present-in-person due to the prevailing C-19 circumstances.
Student’s should consult their individual timetable for up-to-date delivery information.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

Summative assessments will allow students to apply the methods learned in the module and to recall and explain concepts developed in the module, and will allow instructors to assess their progress.