From history to challenges of modern physics

Timetable

Module aim (aims)

Module aim (aims) An attempt to understand the Cosmos

To show the latest achievements of science in the study of the Universe

Inspire respect for the scientists who have enriched our knowledge of the world

Pre-requisites in terms of knowledge, skills and social competences (where relevant)

Basic knowledge of physics and mathematics

Interest in the world

Syllabus

Week 1: The origins of physics

Week 2: Copernican revolution

Week 3: Newton – creator of modern physics

Week 4: Special and general relativity of Einstein

Week 5: Some results in quantum mechanics

Week 6: Applications of nuclear physics

Week 7: Accelerations and beams

Week 8: Quark dynamics: the strong interaction

Week 9: The Higgs boson

Week 10: Astrophysics – the evolution of stars

Week 11: Models and theories of modern cosmology

Week 12: Cosmology – the origin and evolution of the Universe

Week 13: The inflationary Universe

Week 14: The relationship of cosmology with elementary particle physics

Week 15: Future prospects – unifications in physics

Reading list

[1] R.C. Tolman, Relativity Thermodynamics and Cosmology, Clarendon Press, Oxford 1934.

[2] P.J.E. Peebles, Physical Cosmology, Princeton University Press 1971.

[3] H. Reeves, Derniéres nouvelles du cosmos, Editions du Seuil 1994.

[4] B.R. Martin, Nuclear and Particle Physics, Second Edition, John Wiley & Sons Ltd 2009.

[5] R.A. Alpher, H. Bethe, G. Gamow, The Origin of Chemical Elements, Phys. Rev. 73,

803-804 (1948).

[6] E.M. Burbidge, G.R. Burbidge, W.A. Fowler, F. Hoyle, Synthesis of the Elements in Stars,

Rev. Mod. Phys. 29, 547-650 (1957).

[7] C.R. Cowley, An Introduction to Cosmochemistry, Cambridge University Press 1995.