Astrophysics is the application of physical principles to astronomical systems. In Physics 341 and 342 you will learn how to use gravity, electromagnetism, and atomic, nuclear, and gas physics to understand planets, stars, galaxies, dark matter, and the Universe as a whole. Gravity is the dominant force in many astronomical systems, and it will be our focus in Physics 341.
Some astrophysical systems are described by equations that are fairly easy to solve, and we will study them. However, many interesting systems cannot be solved exactly. Nevertheless, we can often use physical insight and carefully chosen approximations to understand the key features of a system without sweating the details. One goal of the course is to develop that skill. As you will see, it will take us very far (through the whole Universe, in fact!). Another goal is to learn about recent advances in astrophysics, a very dynamic field of research.
Prerequisites for this class are two semesters of physics and two semesters of calculus. I will briefly review physical principles as we need them, but it is assumed that you have seen them before. I will also assume familiarity with vector calculus. Some of the assignments may involve a bit of computation that can be done with programs like Excel, Google Spreadsheets, Maple, Matlab, or Mathematica.
The recommended textbook for Physics 341 (and 342) is An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics (2nd edition) by Bradley W. Carroll and Dale A. Ostlie (affectionately known as the Big Orange Book). It provides a broad survey of astrophysics and covers the basics thoroughly. However, we will not follow this textbook in sequence, but rather will primarily reference the excellent series of lecture notes written by Prof. Chuck Keeton and updated by Prof. Saurabh Jha and myself. I will draw from other sources as well, letting you know when I do.
Prof. Eric Gawiser
Room 303, Serin Physics Building (across Allison Road from the classroom), Busch campus
Email: gawiser[at]physics.rutgers.edu
Phone: 732-445-5500 ext. 2733
Office hours: Thursday 10-11AM
Grading will be based on weekly problem sets (50%), two in-class midterms (10% each), a final take-home essay (10%), and iClicker scores (20%, with a bonus for active class participation).
Weekly problem sets will be handed out on Thursdays, and will be due the following Thursday at the beginning of class. When necessary, problem sets can also be turned in via our Sakai website in PDF format. It is your responsibility to meet the deadline! No late assignments will be accepted.
You are encouraged to work in groups on the weekly problem sets, but your write-up of the solutions must be your own. You must write down the names of your collaborators on your write-up. You must also cite any external sources you use (other than the class notes I post or the textbook). You may not refer to notes, assignments, or solutions from previous years of Physics 341 or 342.
The final essay must be entirely your own work, without any collaboration with your peers or usage of materials beyond those provided with the course. It will be due at 3:20pm on Tuesday, December 10.
This syllabus may be modified as the semester progresses.
Date |
General concept |
Topics |
Text |
Assignment |
Sep 3, 5 |
introduction |
gravity; estimation; dimensional analysis |
||
Sep 10, 12 |
1-body problem |
Newton's laws of motion and gravitation; conservation laws |
1.1-1.2, 2.1-2.3 |
PS1 |
Sep 17 |
deriving Kepler's Laws |
2.1-2.3 |
||
Sep 19 |
Galactic center |
6.1, 24.4 |
PS2 | |
Sep 24 |
Doppler effect; supermassive black holes |
4.3, 25.2, 28.2 |
||
Sep 26 |
2-body problem |
theory; equivalent 1-body problem |
2.3 |
PS3 |
Oct 1 |
binary stars |
7.1-7.3 |
||
Oct 3 |
binary stars; extrasolar planets |
7.4, 23.1 |
PS4 | |
Oct 8 |
transiting planets |
7.4, 23.1 |
||
Oct 10 |
tidal forces |
19.2, 21.2-21.3 |
PS5 | |
Oct 15 |
3-body problem |
Lagrange points; asteroids; close binaries |
18, 22.3 |
|
Oct 17 |
N-body problem and galaxies |
in-class midterm basic properties of galaxies |
24.2-24.3, 25.1-25.4 |
1st Midterm |
Oct 22 |
spiral galaxy rotation curves; dark matter |
24.3, 25.2 |
||
Oct 24, 29 |
galactic structure beyond rotation |
24.2, 25.3 |
PS6 due Oct 24 | |
Oct 31 |
virial theorem; elliptical galaxies; galaxy interactions |
2.4, 25.4, 26.1 |
PS7 | |
Nov 5, 7 |
gravitational lensing |
basic principles; microlensing; galaxy and cluster lensing |
28.4, 24.2 |
PS8 |
Nov 12 |
relativity |
special relativity |
4 (all) |
  |
Nov 14 |
introduction to general relativity |
17 (all) |
PS9 | |
Nov 19 |
applications of general relativity |
|||
Nov 21 |
black holes |
PS10 | ||
Nov 26 |
cosmology |
expanding Universe; geometry and dynamics |
27.1-2, 29 (all) |
|
Nov 28 |
NO CLASS; Happy Thanksgiving! |
|||
Dec 3 |
dark energy; future of the Universe |
PS11 | ||
Dec 5 |
in-class midterm |
2nd Midterm | ||
Dec 10 |
final essay due 3:20pm class discussion |
Final Essay |
Here are some web resources you may find illuminating or indispensable:
Students with disabilities should consult the department policy.
Students will be held to the Rutgers policy on academic integrity.
Astrophysics at Rutgers • Department of Physics and Astronomy • Rutgers University
Last updated: August 12, 2013 EG