Course - Astrophysics - FY2450
Astrophysics
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About the course
Course content
Newton's laws and inertial frames. Rotating coordinate systems and Coriolis forces. Newton's law of gravitation and Kepler's laws. Mass distributions, gravitational potential, and potential energy. Virial theorem, gravitational collapse, and formation of stars. Special relativity. Doppler shift. General relativity and black holes. Relative and absolute magnitude of stars. Binary stars. Planck's law of radiation and Wien's displacement law. Stellar spectra. Nuclear processes in the core of stars. White dwarfs and neutron stars. Cosmology and the Big Bang.
Learning outcome
The student will get an overview of the formation of stars, the nuclear processes in the core of stars, and their death. Likewise, the student will acquire an overview of extragalactic astrophysics, cosmology, and the Big Bang.
Learning methods and activities
Lectures and problem sessions. Expected work load in the course is 225 hours.
Further on evaluation
Written school exam (67%) and written project assignment with oral presentation (33%). The re-sit exam may be changed from written to oral.
Recommended previous knowledge
Basic knowledge of physics, equivalent to FY1001 Mechanical Physics, FY1003 Electricity and Magnetism, and TFY4165 Thermal Physics.
Course materials
Dan Maoz, Astrophysics in a Nutshell: Second Edition (Princeton University Press).
Credit reductions
| Course code | Reduction | From |
|---|---|---|
| MNFFY250 | 7.5 sp |
Subject areas
- Astrophysics
- Astronomy
- Physics
Contact information
Course coordinator
Lecturers
Department with academic responsibility
Examination
Examination
Ordinary examination - Spring 2025
School exam
The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.