Selected topics from astrophysics and particle physics

Enrollment into the program.
Written and/or oral exam, seminar assignement.

ASTROPHYSICS
Earth as a planet.
Digital detectors and observation instruments.
Distances in the Universe.
Our and other Solar systems.
Stars.
Galaxies.
Cosmology.

PARTICLE PHYSICS
Historical overview: from the discovery of electron to the Standard model of elementary particles and interactions.
Dirac equation: spin and magnetic moment of fundamental fermions, chirality and helicity, chirality and the electromagnetic and weak interactions.
Experimental methods in particle physics: cloud chamber, accelerators, determination of momentum, identification (measurement of the specific ionization, time of flight, and Cherenkov light).
Weak interactions: parity and CP violation.
Neutrinos: discovery, properties; neutrino oscillations.
Higgs mechanism.
Particle physics and cosmology.

F. Shu: The Physical Universe, Univ. Science books (1982)
H. Bradt: Astronomy Methods, Cambridge University Press (2004)
T. Zwitter: Pot skozi vesolje, Modrijan (2002)
P. Davies: The Goldilocks Enigma, Penguin (2007)
D. H. Perkins, "Introduction to High Energy Physics - 4th ed.",Cambridge University Press (2000).
J. Strnad, “Iz take so snovi kot sanje”, MK, Ljubljana (1988).
priporočeni članki v strokovni literaturi (recommended articles in) Scientific American, Sky&Telescope, Spika, ...

Objectives: Examples of measurements and their intrepretation with laws of physics are used to teach students how to follow the news from the fields of astrophysics and particle physics, how to master their background and how to explain these news at a school level.
Competences:
Ability of modelling and solving problems in physics;
understanding of scientific method and testing of possible explanations in the fields of astrophysics and particle physics;
capability of searching for appropriate literature.

Knowledge and understanding:
Examples of measurements allow students to understand developments of some of the most attractive areas of astrophysics and particle physics. This experience can be used to get insight into current research and its understanding.

Application:
Knowledge of astrophysics and basics of particle physics and cosmology are part of the general curriculum for physics teachers, while the ability to evaluate scientific news can be critical for motivation of best pupils.

Reflection:
Scientific discoveries are sometimes badly explained in news coverage, but with some background knowledge and the ability of critical evaluation they can be used in teaching.

Transferable skills:
Capability of critical evaluation of information, use of databases and services, ability to reach a synthesis.

Lectures, numerical exercises, student seminars, discussion of individual news, professional articles and their critical evaluation.

Written and/or oral exam.
Student seminar assignement.
grading: 5 (fail), 6-10 (pass) (according to the Statute of UL)

prof. dr. T. Zwitter:
1.Kos, J., Zwitter, T. et al.: ”Pseudo-three-dimensional mapsof the diffuse intestellar band at 862 nm”, Science, 345, 791 (2014).
2.Zwitter, T., et al.: ”Distance determination for RAVE stars using stellar models . II. Most likely values assuming a standard stellar evolution scenario”, Astronomy and Astrophysics, 522, 54 (2010).
3.Zwitter, T., et al.: ” The Radial Velocity Experiment (rave): Second data release”, Astronomical Journal, 136, 421 (2008).
doc. Dr. T. Podobnik:
4.Schael et al. (ALEPH, DELPHI, L3, and OPAL Collaborations and LEP Working Group for Higgs Boson Searches), Eur. Phys. J. C 47 (2006) 547-587.
5.PODOBNIK, T., ŽIVKO, T., “On probabilistic parametric inference'' J. Statist. Plann. Infer. 142 (2012) 3152-3166.