6 ECTS credits
180 h study time
Offer 1 with catalog number 1015269CNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (C) Bachelor - specialised level.
In this course physical phenomena will be described on basis of the elementary building blocks of nature (i.e. quarks and leptons) and the interactions among them.
This includes also a discussion of nuclear processes. A mathematical description of collision and decay processes will be introduced based on the framework of relativistic kinematics, described by 4-vectors and invariants.
A relativistic treatment of the Schrodinger equation will lead to the introduction of the Dirac equation. Following the Feynman interpretation of the negative energy solutions, a first experience is obtained w.r.t. the use of Feynman diagrams concerning Quantum Electrodynamics (QED).
In addition to this, also symmetries and conservation laws of quantum numbers will be discussed, leading to CP violation and neutrino oscillations.
The newly introduced concepts will be illustrated with experimental observations from subatomic physics (e.g. deep inelastic scattering processes) and a link with Cosmic Rays and Astrophysical phenomena will be established. The latter provides a first impression of the interdisciplinary field of "Astroparticle Physics".
This course also contains a practical component, for which we will make use of a C++ based analysis framework (ROOT), which has been developed at CERN, together with an extension which was developed within the IceCube project; the (astro)physics analysis package NCFS-Pack.
During the practical work, the students will perform a (simple) computer simulation by means of a physics event generator as well as an analysis of various available data sets.
To enable a correct interpretation of the experimental results, a treatment of Bayesian logical data analysis techniques will be provided as well.
This course also includes the two yearly visit to CERN for 2BA and 3Ba students.
The slides of the lectures are available via http://sites.google.com/site/nickveweb.
Advised literature:
- Nuclear and Particle Physics, W.S.C. Williams
- Introduction to Elementary Particles, D. Griffiths
Obligatory : Presence at the lectures + Solving of exercises + Participation in presentations and practical work.
An account on the IIHE computers will be provided in view of the practical work
concerning simulation and data analysis activities.
This course provides a first introduction to nuclear and particle physics,
in which also experimental aspects will be addressed.
Since this is the first course in subatomic physics which the students encounter,
the relevant competences consist of :
- Structure and acquire new material.
- Get experience in working in small groups of 2-3 students concerning the practical exercises.
- Acquire the necessary communication skills.
- Gain experience in correctly formulating scientific insights, both orally and in writing.
- Develop skills concerning computational techniques and data analysis methods.
- Acquire insight in the development, scope and relations of the various subfields of physics.
In particular the role of nuclear and particle physics in combination with astrophysics and cosmology will be addressed.
The latter reflects an relatively new, interdisciplinary scientific field dubbed "Astroparticle Physics".
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 50% of the final mark.
Practical Exam determines 50% of the final mark.
Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Within the Practical Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Evaluation will be performed on basis of handed-in solutions of exercises + performance during presentations and practical work. Concerning the evaluation process special emphasis is given to the understanding of the underlying physical principles outlined during the lectures, application of these in realistic situations and correct description c.q. communication of the methods which were followed in the analysis and solution of the various scientific cases.
There is no intermediate examination or re-examination possibility.
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Physics and Astronomy: Default track (only offered in Dutch)