Syllabus for |
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| FAS015 - Stellar physics |
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| Owner: TTFYA |
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4,0 Credits (ECTS 6) |
| Grading: TH - Five, Four, Three, Not passed |
| Level: C |
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Department: 75 - EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCES
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Teaching language: English
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Credit distribution |
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Examination dates |
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Sp1 |
Sp2 |
Sp3 |
Sp4 |
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No Sp |
| 0101 |
Examination |
4,0 c |
Grading: TH |
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4,0 c
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Contact examiner |
In programs
TTFYA ENGINEERING PHYSICS, Year 4 (elective)
Examiner:
Professor
John Black
Eligibility:
For single subject courses within Chalmers programmes the same eligibility requirements apply, as to the programme(s) that the course is part of.
Course specific prerequisites
The course is open to 4th/5th-year students (or students at an equivalent
level) and graduate students with background in physics and mathematics.
Aim
The theory of stellar structure and evolution is a mature and comprehensive
physical theory which stands at the very heart of modern astrophysics. The
theory explains the observed properties of stars (sizes, masses, surface
temperatures, pulsations, etc.). It also predicts how these properties and
the composition of stars evolve in time so that the characteristics of entire
populations of stars can be understood. After a brief summary of the
observable properties of stars, the course will present the basic concepts of
stellar atmospheres. Then the physics of stellar interiors will be developed
in detail. The evolution of stars will be examined with reference to
detailed theoretical models. The endpoints of stellar evolution will be
discussed. Additional topics will include star formation, neutrino
astrophysics, and stellar pulsations.
Content
Observable properties of stars. Stellar atmospheres and radiative transfer.
Equations of state. Degenerate matter. Radiative and convective energy
transport. Nuclear reactions. Differential equations of stellar structure
and their boundary conditions. Numerical models. Protostars and star
formation. Stellar evolution. The Main Sequence. Stability and pulsations.
Chemical evolution on the Main Sequence. Post-Main-Sequence evolution.
Binary stars. Stellar rotation. Endpoints of stellar evolution: white
dwarfs, neutron stars, pulsars, and stellar black holes.
Computer codes for constructing stellar models will be available so that
students can perform numerical experiments.
Organisation
EXAMINER: John Black
Literature
C.J. Hansen & S.D. Kawaler, Stellar Interiors: Physical Principles,
Structure, and Evolution (Berlin: Springer-Verlag), 1994. ISBN
3-540-94138-X. (Note: the most recent version is the revised 3rd printing of
1999).
Examination
Written examination.