- Inactive for Year: 2023/24
- Module Leader(s): Dr Toby Wood
- Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
|
Semester 1 Credit Value:
|
15
|
|
ECTS Credits:
|
8.0
|
Aims
To present the application of fluid dynamics to the atmospheres and interiors of stars and planets, and to plasmas within and between galaxies.
Module summary:
Fluid dynamics typically becomes more challenging, and therefore more interesting, as the scale of the system under consideration is increased. This module concerns the very largest-scale fluid systems -- those of planets, stars, galaxies and the inter-galactic medium. On such scales the effects of gravity, rotation and magnetism become increasingly important, as does the complexity of fluid behaviour.
In this module we will study the physical processes that operate in geophysical and astrophysical fluids. We will describe how the nature of waves and turbulence is altered in the presence of gravity, rotation and magnetism.
Outline Of Syllabus
Revision of hydrodynamics and magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). Turbulent flows. The vorticity and induction equations. Conservation laws.
Rotation: the centrifugal and Coriolis forces, inertial waves, Ekman and Rossby numbers, the Taylor-Proudman theorem, Ekman layers.
Gravity: hydrostatic equilibrium, the buoyancy force, Kelvin-Helmholtz instability, internal gravity waves, convection, potential vorticity.
Magnetism: the Lorentz force, MHD waves, reconnection, dynamos, helicity.
Shocks: basic theory of MHD shocks.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category |
Activity |
Number |
Length |
Student Hours |
Comment |
|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 33 | 1:00 | 33:00 | Formal lectures |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 9:00 | 9:00 | Revision for class test |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 18:00 | 18:00 | Revision for unseen exam |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 2:30 | 2:30 | Unseen exam |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | Class test |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 2 | 1:00 | 2:00 | Revision lectures |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 12 | 0:10 | 2:00 | Office hours |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 2 | 9:00 | 18:00 | Preparation for coursework assignments |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 51:00 | 51:00 | Studying, practising, and gaining understanding of course material |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 3 | 4:30 | 13:30 | Review of coursework assignments and course test |
| Total | | | | 150:00 | |
Jointly Taught With
| Code |
Title |
|---|
| MAS8852 | Geophysical & Astrophysical Fluids |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, illustrated with examples, and for giving general feedback on marked work. Tutorials (within lectures) are used to discuss the course material, identify and resolve specific queries raised by students and to allow students to receive individual feedback on marked work. In addition, office hours (two per week) 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.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description |
Length |
Semester |
When Set |
Percentage |
Comment |
|---|
| Written Examination | 150 | 1 | A | 90 | N/A |
| Written Examination | 40 | 1 | M | 5 | Class test |
Exam Pairings
| Module Code |
Module Title |
Semester |
Comment |
|---|
| | 1 | N/A |
Other Assessment
| Description |
Semester |
When Set |
Percentage |
Comment |
|---|
| Prob solv exercises | 1 | M | 5 | Coursework assignments |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
A substantial formal unseen examination is appropriate for the assessment of the material in this module. The coursework assignments are expected to consist of two written assignments of equal weight: the exact nature of assessment will be explained at the start of the module. The coursework assignments and the (in-class, therefore 40 minute) test allow the students to develop their problem solving techniques, to practise the methods learnt in the module, to assess their progress and to receive feedback; these assessments have a secondary formative purpose as well as a primary summative purpose.
Reading Lists
Timetable
