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University of Western Australia

Areas of Study

The Physics of Particles

  • PHYS2002
  • Semester 2 (see Timetable)
  • 6 points
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Difficulty Level

This unit covers (1) thermodynamics—exact and inexact differentials, quasistatic processes, thermodynamic potentials as the drivers of change; (2) statistical mechanics—statistical description of ensembles, the microcanonical ensemble, the canonical ensemble, the ideal gas and real gases, Einstein's solid, the grand canonical ensemble, Bose and Fermi distributions and gases; (3) nuclear physics—basic nuclear properties, radioactive decay, semi-empirical mass formula and liquid drop model, fusion on the main sequence; and (4) particle physics—description of interactions in terms of virtual particle exchange, electromagnetic, weak and strong interactions, residual strong interaction. -- Course Website

Instructor: Winthrop Professor Ian McArthur

Prerequisites: PHYS1001 Physics for Scientists and Engineers and PHYS1002 Modern Physics and MATH1001 Mathematical Methods 1



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