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Department of Physics and Astronomy

Atomic Physics (F3211)

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Atomic Physics

Module F3211

Module details for 2025/26.

15 credits

FHEQ Level 6

Module Outline

- Fine structure in hydrogen
- Hyperfine structure including isotope and nuclear spin effects
- Interaction of atoms with external fields
- Helium atom
- Multi-electron atoms and the periodic system
- Radiative processes, Einstein coefficients
- Emission and absorption spectra, line broadening
- Basics of molecular structure: vibration and rotation

Pre-Requisite

Pre-requisite:
Level 5: (F3239) Quantum Mechanics 1 [T2]

Module learning outcomes

Systematic understanding of the structure of atoms and molecules.

Detailed knowledge of the physical processes determining the properties of atoms.

Familiarity with modern applications of atomic physics in spectroscopy and astrophysics.

Ability to solve simple physical problems in atomic physics.

TypeTimingWeighting
Unseen ExaminationSemester 1 Assessment80.00%
Coursework20.00%
Coursework components. Average of best 2 coursework marks.
Problem SetT1 Week 8  
Problem SetT1 Week 11  
Problem SetT1 Week 4  
Timing

Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.

Weighting

Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.

TermMethodDurationWeek pattern
Autumn SemesterLecture1 hour22222222222
Autumn SemesterClass1 hour11111111111

How to read the week pattern

The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.

Prof Jacob Dunningham

Assess convenor, Convenor
/profiles/330253

Prof Kathy Romer

Convenor
/profiles/114410

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The University reserves the right to make changes to the contents or methods of delivery of, or to discontinue, merge or combine modules, if such action is reasonably considered necessary by the University. If there are not sufficient student numbers to make a module viable, the University reserves the right to cancel such a module. If the University withdraws or discontinues a module, it will use its reasonable endeavours to provide a suitable alternative module.