Marcus Christl

Advanced physics for students of environmental and earth sciences: 402-0048-00L

Abstract:
Basic concepts of quantum and nuclear physics with emphasis on environmental and earth science aspects.

Objective:
Many phenomena in environmental sciences can only be explained by quantum mechanical or nuclear physics models. This lecture course covers the fundamentals of quantum and nuclear physics and demonstrates the significance of these fields in environmental and geosciences by means of concrete examples and numerous demonstration experiments

Contents:
1. Part: Quantum Physics:
Fundamentals of quantum mechanics. Planck's law and its significance to the radiation balance and climate of the earth. Photo effect, material waves, uncertainty principle. Atomic and molecular physics: energy levels, absorption and emission of electromagnetic radiation, selection rules, laser. Fundamentals of optical spectroscopy with examples from environmental analytics.


2. Part: Nuclear Physics:
Structure of the atomic nucleus (nuclear models and forces), radioactivity (decay modes), interaction of radiation with matter, natural and artificial radioactivity in the environment, radioisotopes as natural tracers, dating by radioisotopes.