printer friendly pagePHYSICS 240: Introduction to the Physics of Energy
Energy as a consumable. Forms and interconvertability. World joule nnbudget. Equivalents in rivers, oil pipelines and nuclear weapons. nnQuantum mechanics of fire, batteries and fuel cells. Hydrocarbon and hydrogen synthesis. Fundamental limits to mechanical, electrical and magnetic strengths of materials. Flywheels, capacitors and high pressure tanks. Principles of AC and DC power transmission. Impossibility of pure electricity storage. Surge and peaking. Solar constant. Photovoltaic and thermal solar conversion. Physical limits on agriculture.
Terms: Aut
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Laughlin, R. (PI)
PHYSICS 241: Introduction to Nuclear Energy
Radioactivity. Elementary nuclear processes. Energetics of fission and fusion. Cross-sections and resonances. Fissionable and fertile isotopes. Neutron budgets. Light water, heavy water and graphite reactors. World nuclear energy production. World reserves of uranium and thorium. Plutonium, reprocessing and proliferation. Half lives of fission decay products and actinides made by neutron capture. Nuclear waste. Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. Molten sodium breeders. Generation-IV reactors. Inertial confinement and magnetic fusion. Laser compression. Fast neutron production and fission-fusion hybrids. PREREQUISITES: Strong undergraduate background in elementary chemistry and physics. PHYS 240 and PHYS 252 recommended but not required. Interested undergraduates encouraged to enroll, with permission of instructor.
Terms: Win
| Units: 3
Instructors:
Laughlin, R. (PI)
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