Corso di laurea in Fisica

The course is aimed at supplying the knowledge about the characteristics of the application of Physics to problems concerning Astrophysics, Cosmology, Space Physics and Cosmic Physics. It is expected to know the Physical and Mathematical topics presented during the first two years of Bachelor degree in addition to Fluid Physics, Advanced Electromagnetism, Special Relativity, Atomic Physics and Nuclear Physics.

Knowledge and capability of understanding: Knowledge of some basic topics concerning Astrophysics, Cosmology, Space Physics and Cosmic Physics presented during the lectures.

Capability of applying the acquired knowledge and understanding: At the end of the course the students should be able to solve exercises and problems related to astrophysics, cosmology, space physics and cosmic ray physics, by applying the concepts and knowledge acquired during classes. Moreover, they should be able to summarize the concepts, derive the basic formulae which are at the basis of the disciplines described in the course, and describe the characteristics of the detectors employed in those research areas.

Classroom-taught lectures, with the support of the blackboard and, with regard to some parts, of slides.

During the 2020-21 academic year, if required by Covid emergency, lectures will be provided remotely in sinchronous and asynchronous modes. To access the lectures it is required to register to the Moodle page of the class: https://elearning.unito.it/scienzedellanatura/course/view.php?id=178

The final exam consists of both written and oral parts cornerning the topics presented during the classes.

The written exam will consist of few open questions, an exercise, and few quick question. 

SEPTEMBER 2020 EXAM WILL BE DONE ON SITE.

      The online exams are guaranteed to the students that will be in one of the following conditions:

1) fragile situation (direct or indirect, sickness, etc.);
2) residence or domicile outside the region;
3) absence from the regional territory with justified reasons.

The course is intended to provide to the students an overview to aspects of cosmology, astrophysics and astro-particle physics of great interest nowadays. 

 Introduction to Cosmology: Friedman's equations; fluid equations. Hubble law, redshift, State equation for matter and radiation. Solutions of Friedman's equations for matter and radiation. Density parameters of the Universe. Dark matter, dark energy. The age of the Universe. CMB: microwave radiation background. Model for the hot Big Bang. BBN: primordial nucleosynthesis. 

 Introduction to Astrophysics: Luminosity, magnitudes. Diagram of Hertzsprung-Russell. Stellar evolution. Galaxies: morphology and main characteristics. 

Cosmic rays: spectrum, energy, composition, acceleration, diffusion. Spectral characteristics of the knee and ankle. GZK Cut-off. Gamma radiation.

Experimental techniques of observation in the different bands of the electromagnetic spectrum: optical, infrared, radio, microwaves, X-rays and gamma-rays. Measurements of the distances of astrophysical objects: from the parallax technique to the use of Hubble's law.

Techniques for direct and indirect detection of dark matter. Techniques for the measurement of the charged cosmic radiation from Space and from Ground. Experimental techniques for the measurement of atmospheric, astrophysical, cosmological, solar and reactor neutrinos.

Apart from the first one, all the other textbooks are presented in the English edition

Ferrari: Stelle, Galassie e Universo

Liddle: An Introduction to Modern Cosmology

Binney e Merrifield: Galactic astronomy

Binney e Tremaine: Galactic Dynamics

Peebles: Principles of Physical Cosmology

A. Norton: An introduction to astrophysics and cosmology

M. Longair: High energy astrophysics

NOTES: the video recordings of the lectures of Physics and the Universe are available on the website:
http://elearning.moodle2.unito.it/df/ (select III Year and then the name of the course)