School of Physical and Geographical Sciences  
 
 
PHY-30023 Particles, Accelerators and Reactor Physics  
Co-ordinator: Dr Dean McLaughlin    Room: LJ1.49, Tel:34113  
Teaching Team: Dr Arumugam  Mahendrasingam, Dr Raphael  Hirschi, Mrs Patricia  Pointon  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
Astrophysics Dual Honours (Level 3)
Astrophysics Major (Level 3)
Astrophysics Minor (Level 3)
Physics Dual Honours (Level 3)
Physics Major (Level 3)
Physics Minor (Level 3)
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Prerequisites
Successful completion of level 2 Physics/Astrophysics
Barred Combinations
None
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 reactions.
Aims
To gain a good working knowledge of the fundamentals of particle physics, particle accelerators and nuclear reactors.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Ability to describe properties of elementary particles and use the quark model to describe hadrons and their reactions and decays. [1,2]
Ability to describe the use of electric and magnetic fields in particle accelerators. [1]
Ability to describe the principles and design features of electrostatic and cyclic accelerators. [1]
Ability to describe the effects of relativity on particle accelerator design and utilisation. [1]
Ability to describe the importance of particle colliders. [1]
Ability to derive and perform calculations with equations relevant to particle accelerators. [1,2]
Demonstrate a sound knowledge of one application of particle accelerators. [3]
Ability to describe neutron induced nuclear fission reactions and their application to principles and design features of nuclear reactors. [1]
Ability to derive and perform calculations with equations relevant to nuclear reactors. [1]
Study hours
24 hours of lectures
24 hours directed study (2 problems sheets and essay)
100 hours private study
Description of Module Assessment
001: 2 Hour Unseen Exam weighted 80% (min pass mark of 30)
Unseen 2 hour examination
Students should answer 3 questions out of 5.
002: Exercise weighted 10% (min pass mark of 30)
2 problem sheets
003: Essay weighted 10% (min pass mark of 30)
1000 word essay
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

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