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2017/18 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

PHYS5100M Winds, Bubbles and Explosions

15 creditsClass Size: 60

Module manager: Dr Julian Pittard
Email: j.m.pittard@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2017/18

Module replaces

PHYS3270 Winds, Bubbles and Explosions in Galaxies

This module is not approved as an Elective

Objectives

At the end of this module you should be able to:
- describe the observational features of the range of activity in galaxies from our own Milky Way to Active Galaxies and their Nuclei;
- explain the essential physics relating to how stellar winds and radiation, and supernovae explosions affect their environment;
- describe the current understanding of the broad and narrow line regions of active galaxies and starburst galaxies;
- elucidate the current models for explaining the relativistic jets involving accretion onto supermassive black holes;
- use basic physics to illustrate the energetics of these phenomena.

Learning outcomes
Make effective use of physics skills and knowledge to applications in Astrophysics;
Make use of a very wide range of physics in a specific problem;
Demonstrate that a specific area of physics, namely hydrodynamics, has an enormous range of applicability;
Demonstrate an understanding of most fundamental laws and principles of physics, along with their application to a variety of areas in physics, some of which are at (or are informed by) the forefront of the discipline;
Demonstrate an understanding of the use of physics in exotic circumstances;
Solve advanced problems in physics using appropriate mathematical tools;
Use mathematical techniques and analysis to model physical behaviour and interpret mathematical descriptions of physical phenomena;
Communicate complex scientific ideas concisely, accurately and informatively;
Manage own learning and make use of appropriate texts, research articles and other primary sources.


Syllabus

1.Overview. Injection of energy & momentum. Physical state of gas in the galaxy.
2.Physical Processes. Introduction to gas dynamics. Shock fronts. The Rankine-Hugoniot conditions. Physics of shock and radiatively excited gases. Cooling processes. The interstellar cooling curve. Effects of cooling behind shock fronts.
3.Ionization fronts and expanding HII regions.
4.Explosions. The Sedov phase of supernova remnant evolution. Transition to the momentum conserving phase. The range of supernova remnants in interstellar gas.
5.Wind driven bubbles. Supersonic winds from point sources. The two-shock flow pattern. Energy driven bubbles blown by single stars.
6.Galactic scale effects of winds and explosions. Effects of groups of stars. Winds blowing into stratified media. The galactic disc-halo connection. Super bubbles and blow out.
7.Effects in external galaxies. Giant extra-galactic HII regions. Starburst galaxies. Superwinds.
8.Activity in the nuclei of distant galaxies. Observational characteristics of Seyfert galaxies, QSOs and BL Lac objects. The structure and dynamics of the broad and narrow line emission regions. Black hole-accretion disc models for the nuclei of active galaxies. Fuelling the central engine. Jets and superluminal motion. The interaction of jets with the intergalactic medium. Unified models of AGN.

Teaching methods

Delivery typeNumberLength hoursStudent hours
Lecture221.0022.00
Practical115.0015.00
Private study hours113.00
Total Contact hours37.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)150.00

Private study

128 hours to be used for background reading, preparing for lectures, researching and writing assignments and problem solving.

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

3 non-assessed problem sheets. 1 assessed mini-project.

Methods of assessment


Coursework
Assessment typeNotes% of formal assessment
Assignment-20.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)20.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated


Exams
Exam typeExam duration% of formal assessment
Standard exam (closed essays, MCQs etc)2 hr 30 mins80.00
Total percentage (Assessment Exams)80.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 05/09/2017

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