To introduce Rutherford and related scattering; to introduce nuclear size, mass and decay modes; to provide some applications and examples of nuclear physics; to introduce particle physics, including interactions, reactions and decay; to show some recent experimental discoveries; to introduce relativistic 4-vectors for applications to collision problems.

(LO1) A basic understanding of Rutherford, electron on neutron scattering.

(LO2) An understanding of the basic principles that determine nuclear size, mass and decay modes.

(LO3) The knowledge of examples and applications of nuclear physics.

(LO4) An understanding of the basic properties of particles and their interactions

(LO5) An understanding of conservation laws and their role in particle decays and reactions

(LO6) A basic understanding of relativistic 4-vectors

(LO7) A basic understanding of drawing Feynman diagrams. Knowledge of some particle physics results: neutrino physics, measurement of top quark and W masses, structure of the proton

(LO8) Knowledge of particle physics results: Large hadron collider, cosmic microwave background, dark matter, super-symmetry

Size and Shape of Nuclei Rutherford scattering Electron+neutron scattering Nuclear size Nuclear Masses Masses of nuclei Binding energy Liquid drop model Semi-empirical mass formula Nuclear Decays Alpha, beta and gamma decays Nuclear Stability Other decays Nuclear Processes and Applications Dating Stellar evolution Nuclear power stations Particle Physics Introduction Particle properties Leptons. Quarks and hadrons Colour Forces and interactions Particle Decays and Reactions Particle widths Conservation laws, Relativistic Mechanics Principle of invariance Introduction to 4-vectors Relativistic Collisions Recent Discoveries in Particle Physics Feynman Diagrams Neutrino masses and oscillations Discovery of the top quark Measurement of the top and W masses Structure of the proton Search for Higgs, dark matter and super-symmetry

Teaching Method 1 - Lecture
Description: Lectures in person

Teaching Method 2 - tutorial
Description: tutorial in person.

The module will be delivered in person in 2021. Asynchronous learning materials (notes/videos/exercises etc) will be made available to students through the VLE. The module will have regular synchronous sessions in active learning mode.
We are planning no changes to module content compared to previous years, and expect students to spend a similar amount of time-on-task compared to previous years. These changes will mainly constitute a rebalancing of hours from scheduled directed learning hours to unscheduled directed learning hours as students will have some flexibility as to when they access asynchronous materials.