FY551: The million dollar equation at the heart of astrophysics, climate physics and mathematics
Study Board of Science
Teaching language: Danish, but English if international students are enrolled
EKA: N500055102
Assessment: Second examiner
Grading: Pass/Fail
Offered in: Odense
Offered in: Summer school (autumn)
Level: Bachelor
STADS ID (UVA): N500055101
ECTS value: 5
Date of Approval: 12-05-2020
Duration: 1 semester
Version: Archive
Comment
Entry requirements
Academic preconditions
Academic preconditions. Students taking the course are expected to have had:
- An introductory classical mechanics course.
- Basic introduction to vector algebra (gradient, divergence etc) and differential equations.
- Basic physics knowledge corresponding to 2 years of bachelor studies in physics, math or similar.
Course introduction
The aim of the course is to show the universal application of fluid dynamics in climate physics, astrophysics and sustainable energy technology. The mathematical foundation of and connection between the fluid dynamical description of systems like the climate and gravitational systems like galaxies and DM structures. Specifically the connection between Navier-Stokes equations and the Jeans equations and the mathematical Navier-Stokes Millenium Prize problem.
To make the student knowledgeable of the applications of fluid dynamics in research and industry within climate, energy technology and astrophysics which is of relevance to a broad spectrum of careers in physics.
The course builds upon the knowledge gained in the courses FT504 and FY546 (basic and intermediate level classical mechanics) and provides a foundation for advanced astrophysics such as FY825 - Galactic Dynamics and Dark Matter, or climate physics at graduate level as well as research topics.
Explicit focus is on
- Providing the ability to apply physics to solve problems and address research topics in astrophysics, climate modelling and energy technology.
- Critically investigate scientific models and provide skills in analyzing data.
- Provide knowledge of the connection between the mathematical and physical description of phenomena across different scales such as the climate and astrophysics.
- Provide knowledge of the mathematical and numerical challenges in fluid dynamics and gravitational systems.
Expected learning outcome
The learning objective of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:
- Describe the role of fluid mechanics in the climate system and in energy technology
- Identify applications of fluid mechanics and intuition from fluid mechanics to characterize astrophysical systems.
- Understand and apply the mathematical formalism of the Jeans and Navier-Stokes equations.
- Solve the Navier-Stokes equations in simple systems with application to climate models.
- Characterize similarities and differences between collision less and collisional systems.
Content
The following main topics are contained in the course:
- Fluid Dynamics and gravitational dynamics
- The physics of climate systems and astrophysical systems
- The mathematics of the Navier-Stokes and Jeans Equations and the Navier-Stokes Millenium Prize problem.
- Fluid dynamics in energy technology and industry
Literature
'Galactic Dynamics' by Binney og Tremaine.
'Physics of Continuous' Matter by B. Lautrup.
Additional notes made available: See Blackboard for syllabus lists and additional literature references.
Examination regulations
Exam element a)
Timing
August
Tests
Written Report
EKA
N500055102
Assessment
Second examiner
Grading
Pass/Fail
Identification
Full name and SDU username
Language
Normally, the same as teaching language
Examination aids
To be announced during the course.
ECTS value
5
Additional information
The examination form for re-examination may be different from the exam form at the regular exam.
Indicative number of lessons
Teaching Method
The teaching method is based on three phase model.
- Intro phase: 30 hours
- Skills training phase: 15 hours, hereof tutorials:15 hours
Activities during the study phase:
- Solution of weekly assignments in order to discuss these in the exercise sections.
- Solving the project assigments
- Self study of various parts of the course material.
- Reflection upon the intro and training sections.