School of Physical and Geographical Sciences  
 
 
PHY-30023 Particles, Accelerators and Reactor Physics  
Co-ordinator: Dr Nicky Davis    Room: 60THECOV-1, Tel:33532  
Teaching Team:  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
None
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Prerequisites
Entry through satisfactory completion of level 2 modules.
Barred Combinations
PHY-30014 and PHY-30016
Description

Key Topics in particle physics including the standard model, Feynman diagrams, conservation laws, QCD and the composition of hadrons. A wide ranging analysis of particle accelerator types and their operation. A view of the main types of fission reactor and their operation, including neutron physics and fission reactors.
Aims
To extend students' understanding of the physics of elementary particles and to introduce the application of particle accelerators, in particular to experimental elementary particle physics. To enable students to gain experience at an advanced level of the physics of neutrons and the basis of nuclear fission reactors.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Understand the principles and design features of electrostatic and cyclic accelerators.
Appreciate the importance of particle colliders.
Be able to derive expressions for the available energy in collisions between relativistic particles.
Understand the basic properties of elementary particles (isospin, strangeness, etc.) and how these lead to the 3 and 6 quark models. Understand the quark models and the basis of colour theory.
Acquire a sound knowledge of one application of particle accelerators Understand the properties and interactions of neutrons, in particular those properties which are related to the operation of nuclear reactors.
Understand the basic principles of neutron-induced thermal fission and the principles of a sustainable chain reaction, including aspects of control.
Study hours
24 hours of lectures
24 hours directed study (2 problems sheets and essay)
100 hours private study
Description of Module Assessment
2 hour unseen examination paper, (80%), 2 problems sheets (10%) and 1 essay (10%).
001: 2 Hour Unseen Exam weighted 80% (min pass mark of 30)
Unseen 2 hour examination
Two hour unseen examination, structured as three questions to be chosen from five (weight 80%). For a pass, each component mark must be 30% or higher and the aggregate 40% or higher.
002: Exercise weighted 10% (min pass mark of 30)
2 problem sheets
Two problem sheets (weight 10%) For a pass, each component mark must be 30% or higher and the aggregate 40% or higher.
003: Essay weighted 10% (min pass mark of 30)
1000 word essay
One essay (weight 10%).For a pass, each component mark must be 30% or higher and the aggregate 40% or higher.
Version: (1.04S) Created: 04/Jun/2010

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.