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402-0266-10L 10 Credits BSC D-PHYS

Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics

Lecturers & Examiners: Prof. Dr. Anna Soter
Only for Physics BSc, Programme Regulations 2016. A repetition week is offered at the end of the semester.
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:40

Abstract

Introduction to the concepts of nuclear and particle physics.

Objective

Introduction to the concepts of nuclear and particle physics. Discussion of new theoretical concepts and important experiments, which brought about major breakthroughs in our understanding of the underlying physics. Applications of nuclear and particle physics. Links between particle physics and cosmology.

Content

- Building blocks of matter (quarks and leptons) and their interactions (QED, QCD, weak interaction) - The Standard Model of particle physics und open fundamental questions - Bound systems (nuclear forces, structure of nuclei, stability) - Applications of nuclear and particle physics (nuclear fusion and fission) - Nuclear physics, particle physics and cosmology

Resources

Lecture Notes

More information and additional material concerning lecture and excersises are collected at Moodle, link to be published.

Literature

- Povh et al.: Teilchen und Kerne, Springer Verlag 2014 - Henley, Garcia: Subatomic Physics, World Scientific 2010 - Griffith: Introduction to Elementary Particles, Wiley VCH 2011 - Demtroeder: Experimentalphysik IV: Kern- Teilchen- und Astrophysik, Springer Verlag, 2014, 2017 See Moodle for more suggestions

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
session examination
Mode
written 180 minutes
Aids
10 A4 pages summary (5 double-sided, handwritten or computer print-out with minimal size 11 pt); mathematics formulary; pocket calculator (it may be programmable); German-English dictionary.
Die Prüfungsfragen sind auf Englisch formuliert und dürfen auf Englisch oder auf Deutsch beantwortet werden.The active participation in exercise classes will be monitored as a continuous performance assessment (Leistungselement). Handing in at least 8 exercise sheets (each worked out at least 80%) will result in a bonus of 0.25 on the grade of the exam. Details on the requirements to benefit from this bonus will be communicated in the lecture.

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics
  • Tue 09:45-10:30 (HPV G 5)
  • Wed 09:45-11:30 (HPH G 2)
3 h weekly
exercise Introduction to Nuclear and Particle Physics
Exercises start in the second week of the semester.
  • Wed 11:45-13:30 (HIL D 60.1)
  • Wed 11:45-13:30 (HIT F 31.1)
  • Wed 11:45-13:30 (HPK D 3)
  • Wed 13:45-15:30 (HIT F 31.2)
  • Wed 13:45-15:30 (HPK D 3)
  • Wed 15:45-17:30 (HIT J 52)
2 h weekly

Offered In