Lee Thompson

PHY225 Programming in C

A level 2 course (can also be taken at level 3 or 4) teaching computer programming in the C programming language. The aim of this module is to teach the key elements of procedural computer programming via the C programming language. The module assumes no prior knowledge of programming and is designed to enable the student to develop algorithms and computer programs that perform tasks from numerical and computational physics.

Topics covered include:

• Data types, basic arithmetic
• Control statements: decisions and repetition
• Applications of logic - planning and writing algorithms
• Functions
• File input and output, formatted I-O
• Arrays, string handling
• Structures

More information can be found at the PHY225 teaching resource

PHY320 Nuclear Astrophysics

A level 3/4 course looking at relative abundances of the elements and how those elements are created both in the early Universe and during the life cycle of a star. The following topics are some of those considered during the course:

• Stellar spectroscopy
• Big Bang nucleosynthesis
• The r- and s- processes
• Supernovae
• Cosmic rays

PHY320 also involves developing the presentational skills of the students by requiring that some of the course material be delivered by the students themselves in the form of a Powerpoint presentation. More information can be found at the PHY320 teaching resource

The basic equations of motion of a charged particle in a storage ring can be expressed in matrix form. The project requires a computer program to be written that uses these equations of motion to simulate the operation of a simple storage ring. The properties of the storage ring (e.g. acceptance) as a function of some of the ring's physical parameters such as the ratio of the dipolar to quadrupolar field strength, number of gaps in the ring, etc. are subsequently investigated.
For more information see the project outline notes

In this project neutrons from a large Americium-Beryllium source combine with protons to create deuterons. The binding energy of the deuteron is released in the form of an energetic gamma-ray. Using a detection technique comprising a scintillator and photmultiplier tube, the energy of gamma rays liberated from the proton-rich shielding surrounding the neutron source can be measured and thus the deuteron binding energy can be estimated. The project involves first calibrating the detection apparatus using radioactive sources which emit gamma rays of known energies and then measuring the gamma rays from the formation of the deuterons.
For more information see the project outline notes

Much of particle physics and astrophysics is performed with large scale apparatus and facilities such as CERN and the Hubble Space Telescope. Whilst school children are often stimulated by the latest advances in these areas practical experience of them remains largely inaccessible to the secondary school pupil. Cosmic rays are an ideal vehicle to teach many aspects of particle physics and astrophysics. Using scintillator and photomultiplier tubes, the students will design and build their own cosmic ray detector. The project will involve assembling the apparatus and then designing and implementing the data acquisition system to ensure that real cosmic ray events and not noise or chance co-incidences are being recorded. Measurements of the flux of cosmic rays and some of their fundamental properties is possible.

PHY343 Group Projects

Level 3 group projects, examples of previous and current projects. Click on any project title for more information.

In our increasingly security conscious society security at airports is taken very seriously. The project group should first review the physics that enters into the devices we all encounter when we fly - for example, baggage scanning, metal detectors, avain bird 'flu checks. Then the group should choose one of these technologies (I suggest, the metal detector) and build a replica (in miniature, not life size!!) which operates correctly and generates an audible alarm when an object with part metal composition is passed through it.

A much talked about form of rapid transport is that which uses magnetic levitation. The obvious advantage of this technique is that mechanical friction losses are reduced to a minimum thus improving overall fuel efficiency. The group should first review the field and explore projects that have been built (such as the Shanghai airport express link) and the underlying physics behind these large scale schemes. The groups should then build a magnetic levitation "demonstrator".

You should design a weather station that would be able to aid a meterologist on the move. It should be reasonably portable and be powered by either a battery or off a car's lighter connector. The station should be capable of measuring temperature, pressure, humidity and wind speed and be able to record this information as a function of time.

Design a demonstration of different types of alternative energy and how they produce power that would be suitable to use in teaching, e.g. a lower secondary school geography project on the subject. Amongst the energy sources to be considered are: solar power, wind power, wave power.

This project is all about the physics of Formula 1 cars. An enormous amount of money is spent on maximising the performance of a Formula 1 car given the particular set of rules that the FIA choose for a particular season. Put simply, the cars must travel a set distance in as fast a time as possible using, e.g. a fixed amount of fuel.

Unfortunately our departmental budget does not stretch to F1 cars so you will be required to design and build an F1 car out of a fixed list of materials. The car will be propelled using the energy stored in an inflated balloon. You will need to consider aspects of the car's design such as its aerodynamic profile, weight, etc. To make things interesting the group will be split into 2 teams each of which will have to build car, they will then go "head to head" in a race at the end of the project.