NFYK11013U Gravitation and Cosmological Dynamics

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Physics
Content
  • Dark matter, stellar and gas structures. Their properties, creation and development.
  • Hydrostatic equilibrium, and its application on galaxies and galaxy clusters.
  • Jeans equation, the solution hereof, and application on realistic systems.
  • Equilibrium of collisionsless systems, Boltzmann equation. Potential theory. Stellar motions.
  • Jeans theorem. Eddingtons method for equlibrated structures.
  • Phase mixing and violent relaxation. Dynamical friction.
Learning Outcome

Skills

  • Deep insight and certain application of the basic equations for cosmological structures.
  • Superior description of the physics responsible for the structure of cosmological structures, including motions of stars, phase mixing, violent relaxation and dynamical friction.
  • Detailed knowledge of the solutions of the Jeans equation, and its application to realistic systems.
  • Certain application of the Jeans theorems for spherical systems.
  • Detailed knowledge of the application of hydrostatic equilibrium for realistic systems.
  • The ability to critically interpret scientific overview articles within the subject.
  • The ability to apply knowledge about the structure of cosmological structures and dynamics in other major areas of astrophysics.

Knowledge
The student will achieve an understanding of the basic physical processes responsible for the structure and dynamics of cosmological structures.
In addition, the student will obtain knowledge of the fundamental equations, which describe the structures consisting of stars, gas and dark matter.

Competences
This course will provide the student with a qualitative understanding of the profiles of cosmological structures. The student will also develop the conceptual, mathematical and numerical skills needed when studying the literature within the subject and in wider astrophysical connections. The course will establish a solid foundation for a M.Sc. project in phenomenological or theoretical astrophysics.

"Galactic Dynamics", Binney & Tremained, Princeton series in astrophysics, 2008
Lectures, exercises and projects work
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Exam
  • 0,5
  • Lectures
  • 28
  • Preparation
  • 103
  • Project work
  • 32,5
  • Theory exercises
  • 42
  • Total
  • 206,0
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 25 min
Without time for preparation.
Aid
Without aids
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
More internal examiners
Criteria for exam assesment
The grade 12 is given for:
The presentation where the student independently and with a clear overview documents his/her knowledge and understanding of all the points mentioned under Skills.