Subatomic Physics (PHYS*4130)

Code and section: PHYS*4130*01

Term: Winter 2020

Instructor: Liliana Caballero

Details

Course Information

Class Schedule

Monday, Wednesday and Friday
11:30 a.m to 12:20 p.m
ALEX, Room 309
ONLINE - EFFECTIVE MARCH 23

Instructor

Liliana Caballero
ocaballe@uoguelph.ca
MacN 433D

Office hours

Wednesday
ONLINE - Please email to make an appointment.

Pre-requisites

Quantum Mechanics II- PHYS 4040, Statistical Physics II- PHYS 4240

The course also relies on a working knowledge of classical mechanics, electromagnetism, and mathematics.

Recommended textbooks

  • B. Martin and G. Shaw Nuclear and Particle Physics: An Introduction, 3rd edition, Wiley
  • E. Henley and A. Garcia, Subatomic Physics (3rd edition, World Scientific, 2007)

The University of Guelph Library has a wonderful resource of e-books at Scholars Portal books.

You can login in with your University credentials and have access to countless books with problems to practice. As an example, you will find:

  • B. Povh, K. Rith, C. Scholz, and F. Zetsche, Particles and nuclei: an introduction to the physical concepts (6th edition, Springer, 2008)

Lecture Content

In this course we will discuss aspects of particle physics and study in more depth concepts of nuclear physics. We will go over the following topics:

  • Basic concepts. Symmetries, units, particles, interactions, Feymman diagrams, cross sections.
  • Nuclear Properties Phenomenology, mass, shapes.
  • Nuclear models. Nucleon-nucleon potentials, Liquid drop model, Fermi gas model, Shell model 
  • Nuclear decay Nuclear instability. Fission, alpha, beta and gamma decay. 
  • Weak interactions Neutrinos, charged and neutral currents

Grading

There will be one midterm and one final exam. They will be closed-book exams.

We will also have *roughly* bi-weekly homework. Return date will be posted in each assignment. Copying will not be tolerated. The homework problems are exercises that give you practice, and keep you up-to-date with the course material. However, you need to work on more problems on your own in order to master the content of the course.

The final mark of the course will be calculated with the following scheme. No other marking schemes will be considered.

Scheme Assignments Midterm Final Exam
A 20% 40% 40%


Midterm date and time: Friday, February 28th, 2020, 7 - 9pm, MCLN 101

Final exam date and time: TTHIS WILL BE A TAKE HOME EXAM - Check Course Link for details.

Late assignments will be received up to two days later and marked with 20% off. 

Drop date

The last date to drop one-semester courses, without academic penalty, is April 3rd, 2020. For regulations and procedures for Dropping Courses, see the Academic Calendar.

Course Policies

Course Policy regarding use of electronic devices and recording of lectures

Electronic recording of classes is expressly forbidden without consent of the instructor.  When recordings are permitted they are solely for the use of the authorized student and may not be reproduced, or transmitted to others, without the express written consent of the instructor.

Academic Consideration

When you find yourself unable to meet an in-course requirement because of illness or compassionate reasons, please advise the course instructor in writing, with your name, id#, and e-mail contact. See the academic calendar for information on regulations and procedures for Academic Consideration

Misconduct

The University of Guelph is committed to upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and it is the responsibility of all members of the University community, faculty, staff, and students to be aware of what constitutes academic misconduct and to do as much as possible to prevent academic offences from occurring.

University of Guelph students have the responsibility of abiding by the University’s policy on academic misconduct regardless of their location of study; faculty, staff and students have the responsibility of supporting an environment that discourages misconduct. Students need to remain aware that instructors have access to and the right to use electronic and other means of detection. Please note: Whether or not a student intended to commit academic misconduct is not relevant for a finding of guilt. Hurried or careless submission of assignments does not excuse students from responsibility for verifying the academic integrity of their work before submitting it. Students who are in any doubt as to whether an action on their part could be construed as an academic offence should consult with a faculty member or faculty advisor.

The Academic Misconduct Policy is detailed in the Undergraduate Calendar

Accessibility

The University of Guelph is committed to creating a barrier-free environment. Providing services for students is a shared responsibility among students, faculty and administrators. This relationship is based on respect of individual rights, the dignity of the individual and the University community’s shared commitment to an open and supportive learning environment. Students requiring service or accommodation, whether due to an identified, ongoing disability or a short-term disability should contact the Centre for Students with Disabilities as soon as possible.

For more information, contact CSD at 519-824-4120 ext. 56208 or email csd@uoguelph.ca or see the university website on Accessibility. 

Course Evaluation Information

Please refer to the Course and Instructor Evaluation Website