Study information

Stars from Birth to Death - 2024 entry

MODULE TITLEStars from Birth to Death CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEPHY3070 MODULE CONVENERProf Isabelle Baraffe (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 66
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

The study of stellar systems encompasses a wide range of physics, including gravitation, quantum mechanics, and thermodynamics. This module takes these fundamental physical concepts, learned in the core modules, and uses them to derive the properties of stars. The basic internal structure of stars is described in the first sections, while later sections deal with the ageing and death of both high- and low-mass objects. The final sections describe how stars form.

Pre-requisite modules: PHY1022, PHY1026 and PHY2023 or equivalent modules.

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module aims to develop familiarity with topics at the forefront of current astrophysical research, such as star formation and a detailed understanding of the physics that govern stellar structure and evolution.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
A student who has passed this module should be able to:
 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1. describe the fundamental properties of stars;
2. use the equation of hydrostatic equilibrium to estimate the core properties of stars;
3. calculate the dynamical, thermal, and nuclear timescales of stars;
4. describe the main nuclear reactions that power high and low mass stars;
5. describe how radiation is transported from the stellar core to the surface;
6. discuss post-main sequence evolution for high and low mass stars;
7. describe the physics of compact stars and derive the mass-radius relationship for white dwarfs;
8. discuss the terminal stages of stellar evolution;
9. calculate the Jeans mass and describe the process of star formation;
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
10. solve mathematical problems;
11. apply quantum and classical mechanics, and thermal physics to stellar systems;
 
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
12. develop self-study skills;
13. solve problems.
 
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
  1. General Properties of stars
    1. Definition of a star
    2. Observable quantities
    3. Distance determination
    4. Mass determination
    5. Luminosity and effective temperature
    6. Black body radiation
    7. Magnitude, colours and spectral types
  2. Basic approach: Dimensional analysis
    1. Hydrostatic Equilibrium
    2. Virial theorem
    3. Characteristic timescales
      1. Dynamical or 'free fall' timescale
      2. Thermal timescale or Kelvin-Helmholz timescale
      3. Nuclear timescale
      4. Stellar lifetime on the Main Sequence
    4. Mass-luminosity relationship
  3. Stellar structure equations
    1. Coordinates and mass distribution
      1. Eulerian description
      2. Lagrangian description
    2. Hydrostatic equilibrium
    3. Equation of motion for spherical symmetry
    4. Energy conservation
    5. Energy transport mechanisms
      1. Radiative transport of energy
      2. Convective transport of energy
      3. Conductive transport of energy
  4. Thermodynamical properties of matter
    1. Ideal gas with radiation
      1. Fully ionized matter
      2. Partial ionisation
    2. Degenerate electron gas
      1. Consequence of Pauli's principle
      2. Complete degenerate electron gas
      3. Partial degeneracy
    3. Effect of degeneracy on stellar evolution
    4. Non ideal effects
  5. Nuclear reactions and main burning phases in stars
    1. Basics of thermonuclear reactions
      1. Mass excess
      2. Binding energy
      3. Coulomb barrier
      4. Tunnel effect or quantum tunneling
      5. Cross sections and reaction rates
    2. Major nuclear burning phases in stars
      1. Hydrogen burning
      2. Helium burning
      3. Advanced stages
    3. Ultimate stages
  6. Energy transport properties
    1. Opacity of stellar matter
      1. Bound-bound absorption
      2. Bound-free absorption
      3. Free-free absorption
      4. Electron scattering (Thomson scattering)
  7. Principles of stellar evolution
    1. Polytropes
      1. The Lane-Emden equation
      2. The polytropic equation of state
      3. Analytical solutions to the Lane-Emden equation
      4. Masses and radii of polytropes
    2. Numerical models
      1. Contraction toward the Main Sequence
      2. Evolution on the Main Sequence
      3. Final stages: the death of stars
        White dwarfs; Supernovae, Remnants of supernovae: Neutron stars,
  8. Star formation
    1. Properties of interstellar medium and clouds
    2. The Jeans length and mass
      1. Gravitational instability criterion
    3. Fragmentation process
  9. Massive star formation
    1. Spherical accretion and the Eddington limit
    2. The role of rotation
  10. Protostellar discs
    1. Kinematical and thermal structure
    2. The source of viscosity
    3. The inner disc and the sublimation radius
    4. Magnetospheric accretion
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 20 Guided Independent Study 130 Placement / Study Abroad 0
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 20 20×1-hour lectures
Guided independent study 30 5×6-hour self-study packages
Guided independent study
 18 4×4-hour problem sets
Guided independent study
 82 Reading, private study and revision

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Guided self-study 5×6-hour packages (fortnightly) 1-13 Discussion in class
4 × Problems sets  4 hours per set (fortnightly) 1-13 Solutions discussed in classes.

 

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 40 Written Exams 60 Practical Exams 0
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Final Examination 60 2 hours 30 minutes 1-13 Written, collective feedback via ELE and solutions.
Coursework 40 One piece of independent research in one of the topics in the module 1-13 Written

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Whole module Written examination (100%) 1-13 Referral/deferral period

 

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES
RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

Core text:

  • Prialnik and D. (2010), An Introduction to the Theory of Stellar Structure and Evolution (2nd edition), Cambridge University Press, ISBN 978-0-521-86604-0 (UL: 523.88 PRI)

Supplementary texts:

  • Bowers R.L. and Deeming T. (1984), Astrophysics 1 - Stars, Jones and Bartlett, ISBN 0-86720-018-9 (UL: 523.01 BOW/X)
  • Phillips A.C. (1999), The Physics of Stars (2nd edition), Wiley, ISBN 0-471-98797-2 (UL: 523.8 PHI)

Reading list for this module:

There are currently no reading list entries found for this module.

CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES PHY1022, PHY1026, PHY2023
CO-REQUISITE MODULES
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Wednesday 13th March 2024 LAST REVISION DATE Tuesday 14th May 2024
KEY WORDS SEARCH Physics; Star; Mass; Energy; Properties; Timescales; Evolution; Transport; Stages; Burning.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.