Details of PH4102 (Autumn 2020)
| Level: 4 | Type: Theory | Credits: 4.0 |
| Course Code | Course Name | Instructor(s) |
|---|---|---|
| PH4102 | Introductory Astrophysics | Dibyendu Nandi |
| Preamble |
|---|
| This course is designed to provide students of Physics their first pedagogical introduction to the Universe. Through discussions of the physics underlying diverse astrophysical processes and phenomena, the aim of this course is to motivate students about physics at large-scales, and provide them with the basic theoretical tools to explore the Universe.
|
| Syllabus |
|---|
| Basic Astronomy: Mass, length and timescales, Celestial coordinates, Magnitudes, Astronomy at different wavelengths,
Radiative Transfer: Equations of radiative transfer, Optical depth, Opacity, Local thermodynamic equilibrium, Spectral line formation Stellar Structure and Evolution: Hydrostatic equilibrium, Virial theorem, Energy transport, Convective Instability, HR Diagram, Stellar evolution, Eddington luminosity limit, Nucleosynthesis: Nuclear reaction and elemental burning in stellar interiors, Solar neutrino problem, Stellar Collapse: Degeneracy pressure, Chandrasekhar mass limit, White Dwarfs, Neutron Stars and Pulsars as physical extremes of nature Stellar Dynamics: Virial theorem for dynamics, Collisional relaxation, Incompatibility of thermodynamics equilibrium and self-gravity, Boltzmann equation, Jeans equation, Plasma Astrophysics: Basic fluid and plasma equations, Jeans instability, Magnetohydrodynamics and dynamo theory, Cosmology: Spacetime fabric of the Universe, Thermal history of the Universe, Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation, Friedman-Robertson-Walker metric, Gravitational redshift, Cosmological constant. Black Hole Physics: Schwarzschild metric, Singularities and the concept of a horizon. |
| Prerequisite |
|---|
| Basic undergraduate level knowledge of mathematical methods in physics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, nuclear physics and optics. |
| References |
|---|
| A short list of reference/text books:
1. An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, Bradley W. Carroll and Dale A. Ostlie. 2. Introductory Astronomy & Astrophysics, Michael Zeilik and Stephen A. Gregory 3. Astrophysics for Physicists, Arnab Rai Choudhuri 4. Astrophysics in a Nutshell, Dan Maoz 5. The Road to Reality: A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe, Roger Penrose A long/comprehensive list of reference/text books: 1. An Introduction to Modern Astrophysics, Bradley W. Carroll and Dale A. Ostlie. 2. Introductory Astronomy & Astrophysics, Michael Zeilik and Stephen A. Gregory 3. Astrophysics for Physicists, Arnab Rai Choudhuri 4. Astrophysics in a Nutshell, Dan Maoz 5. The Road to Reality: A Complete Guide to the Laws of the Universe, Roger Penrose |
Course Credit Options
| Sl. No. | Programme | Semester No | Course Choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IP | 1 | Not Allowed |
| 2 | IP | 3 | Core |
| 3 | IP | 5 | Not Allowed |
| 4 | MR | 1 | Core |
| 5 | MR | 3 | Not Allowed |
| 6 | MS | 5 | Not Allowed |
| 7 | MS | 7 | Core |
| 8 | MS | 9 | Not Allowed |
| 9 | RS | 1 | Elective |
| 10 | RS | 2 | Elective |