1. Course Description
Why are we here? That question lies beyond the realm of physics. But a related question is within our reach: How did we come to be here?Briefly: Some 13.7 billion years ago, the universe borrowed energy from the vacuum to create hydrogen, deuterium, helium, lithium, and light. Some of the gas condensed into nuclear reactors called stars, which generated heavier elements (carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen, to name a few). Around at least one star, the heavy elements coagulated into a ball of rock surrounded by a tenuous atmosphere. On this planet, the energy from the star and the gas in the atmosphere were just right to allow the emergence of life. The energy that sustains us originated deep in the Sun, thanks to E=mc2. The atoms that comprise our bodies were forged inside dying stars. Literally, we are star dust.
The goal of Physics 342 is to understand the physics of this remarkable story. We will use gravity, electricity & magnetism, gas physics, and atomic and nuclear physics to analyze the structure and evolution of the astrophysical systems that enter the tale: planets, stars, galaxies, and the early universe.
Some of the astrophysical systems we will study are described by equations that are fairly easy to solve. Many others are not. Nevertheless, we can often use physical insight and approximate calculations to understand the salient features of a system without sweating the details. One goal of the course is to develop that skill. Another goal is learn about recent advances in astrophysics, a dynamic field of research!
Prerequisites for this class are two semesters of physics and two semesters of calculus. I will review physical principles as we need them, but will usually assume that you have seen them before. I will also assume familiarity with vector calculus. Note that Physics 341 is not a prerequisite for Physics 342; the two courses are designed to be complementary but independent.
The main textbook is An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics (2nd edition) by Bradley W. Carroll and Dale A. Ostlie. This book provides a broad survey of astrophysics; I will draw from different sections of the book to tell my tale. I will also use other sources for newer material, letting you know when I do.
2. Instructor and Venue
Prof. Chuck Keeton Room 305, Serin Physics Building, Busch Campus Email: keeton at physics.rutgers.edu Phone: 732-445-5742Office hours:
- Tue 2:00-3:00 PM
- Wed 3:00-4:00 PM
The class meets Tue/Thur 3:20-4:40, in ARC 105 on Busch campus.
3. Grading Policy
There will be six biweekly homework assignments, due in class on alternating Thursdays. If you must miss class, it is your resposibility to get your homework to me (or my Physics department mailbox) by 4:30 PM on the due date. Late homework may be turned in the next day by 3:00 PM for 80% credit. No homework will be accepted after 3:00 PM Friday.You will have a chance to apply your knowledge to astrophysics news in the media or online. We will discuss details later in the semester.
The final exam will be a take-home exam, due at noon on Tuesday, May 6.
Your course grade will be computed as follows:
- 60% homework
- 10% project
- 30% final exam
4. Topics, Schedule, and Supplemental Material
Here is a preliminary list of topics and tentative schedule for the semester. It may be revised as the semester proceeds.
General concept Date Topics Introduction Jan 22, 24 Dimensions and units, dimensional analysis; phases of an electron gas The air we breathe Jan 29 Kinetic theory of gases Jan 31, Feb 5 Planetary atmospheres Why is it so warm? Feb 7 Blackbody radiation; planet temperatures Feb 12, 14 Atmospheric heating, greenhouse effect Twinkle, twinkle, little star Feb 19, 21 Stellar atmospheres; HR diagram Feb 26 Energy transport The energy we use Feb 28, Mar 4 Nuclear fusion Mar 6 Nuclear reactions in stars Mar 11 Stellar structure; standard solar model Mar 13 Solar neutrinos Mar 18, 20 NO CLASS: SPRING BREAK We are star dust Mar 25, 27 Stellar evolution Apr 1, 3 White dwarfs and neutron stars Charting the Universe Apr 8 Stellar pulsations Apr 10 Supernovae, cosmic acceleration, and dark energy How did we get here? Apr 15, 17 Star and galaxy formation Apr 22, 24 Stars, disks, and planets Formation of the Universe Apr 29, May 1 Cosmic Microwave Background I have created a wiki for the course, which can be found at:
I will keep the schedule current there, and post homework assignments and solution sets. The wiki also provides supplemental material, including links to online astrophysics resources.The reason I made the course website a wiki is to allow you to edit it. I encourage you to update the wiki with interesting material about astrophysics that you find. Working together, we can create a rich site with lots of interesting information about astrophysics!
5. Students with Disabilities
Click here for more information.6. Rutgers Policy on Academic Integrity
The official Rutgers policy on academic integrity can be found at http://cat.rutgers.edu/in tegrity/policy.html.
