| Unit name | Stellar and Terrestrial Fusion |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHYS30047 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Springell |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
PHYS10012 Core Physics I: Classical, Quantum and Thermal Physics PHYS20040 From Classical to Modern Physics |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
- |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
- |
| School/department | School of Physics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important?
Nuclear fusion is the fundamental process governing stellar nucleosynthesis, powering the stars, and key to life on earth. Harnessing this energy source is one of the most sought-after technologies and the UK is at the forefront of this race. We will investigate the fundamental physics of the fusion process and detail the ambitious engineering projects looking to exploit it.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit forms part of the third-year options portfolio for physics students; a suite of options designed to explore the wider applications of physics as well as further depth in specific areas. Your choice of options will help to shape the physicist you will become.
An overview of content
This unit will cover the physics needed to understand fusion both on Earth and in stars. Covering nuclear fundamentals such as radioactive decay, binding energy and the semi-empirical mass formula, we will discuss how fusion reactions can be a terrestrial power source. We will show how the same physics also governs the lives of stars, describing their structure and evolution in the context of the nuclear reactions they undergo. Ultimately, we will show how stars are able to produce all the elements in the Periodic Table.
Stellar fusion will cover:
Fusion processes on Earth will cover:
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
By the end of this unit, you will have gained experience of physics as an interdisciplinary science and will be able to relate your physics understanding to other fields of knowledge, as well as increasing the depth of your physics understanding.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
The unit is organised through our on-line learning environment (OLE). This is where you will find information about the unit, lecture notes, any pre-recorded videos, recordings of lectures and live sessions, access to online quizzes (where appropriate) and other learning resources.
All teaching activities will be delivered face-to-face (barring intervention from exceptional events), and it is an expectation that you engage with these activities. Learning activities will be split across in-class activities (lectures, problems classes) and those around your own private study (for example online quizzes, videos, textbook references etc.).
The unit will consist of around 30 hours of content delivery with 10 hours of problems support. Along with this time there is an expectation of personal study in line with the University statement on student workloads.
Some sessions may require preparation beforehand (e.g. watching a video, reading a textbook chapter or journal article or similar); where these materials are provided, you should aim to spend around one hour of preparation time for one hour of face-to-face teaching. This will allow you to make the most of class discussions and activities.
Problem classes will be conducted in a range of group sizes, and all will have emphasis on problem-based learning, where you will be able to discuss the problems with others in your group.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
There will be formative problem sheets available through the online learning environment (OLE) to guide your self-study. There will also be problems classes, allowing you to ask questions of the facilitators to help you quantify your own understanding and that of others, and to gain verbal feedback on your problem solving skills.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
You will complete an examination (100%, all ILOs).
When assessment does not go to plan
If you do not pass the examination, you may have the opportunity to retake the examination in the reassessment period. *
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHYS30047).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
