Atomic, Nuclear & Particle Physics: From Beginner to Expert from Udemy

This course is for everyone who wants to learn about atomic, nuclear & particle physics: Beginners to experts.

A bit of high school mathematics is all you need to know to get started.

One of the most fundamental questions of mankind is: 'What does matter consist of?'.

Today, we know it consists of atoms which consist of electrons and the nucleus. The nucleus can be subdivided into protons and neutrons which consist of quarks and other elementary particles. In this course we will follow the same history route from atomic physics to nuclear physics to particle physics.

We will discuss different models and the experiments that proved them wrong and motivated new models. Furthermore, we learn how nuclear reactions affect our everyday life and may satisfy our electricity demand in the future.

I can guarantee that you will learn a lot no matter what your current skill level is. The first sections are phenomenological and can be well understood by high school students. The last few section really go into the theoretical details and are on a university level.

You are kindly invited to join this carefully prepared course in which we derive the following concepts from scratch. I will present examples and have prepared quizzes and exercises for all topics.

Atomic physics (4.5 hours)

Classical atomic models: Dalton, Thomson and Rutherford models
Quantum atomic models: Bohr and Schrödinger models
Fundamental quantities & Interactions: Mass, charge, spin & Gravity, electromagnetic interaction

Nuclear physics (5.5 hours)

Models of the nucleus: Liquid-drop and nuclear-shell models
Fundamental interactions: Strong and weak interaction
Radioactivity & Nuclear decay reactions
Nuclear fusion & Nuclear fission

Particle physics (1.5 hours)

Standard model of particle physics
Quarks, Leptons, Gauge bosons, Higgs particle & Antimatter
Limits of the standard model & New approaches like quantum gravity or string theory

Theoretical background (4.5 hours)

Quantum mechanics: Schrödinger equation, Quantized energy spectrum, atomic orbitals
Relativity and quantum mechanics: Spin and spin-orbit interaction

Outlook: Molecular and Condensed-matter physics (1 hour)

Why me?

My name is Börge Göbel and I am a postdoc working as a scientist in theoretical physics. Therefore, I use presented concepts very often but I have not forgotten the time when I learned about it and still remember the problems that I and other students had. I have refined my advisor skills as a tutor of Bachelor, Master and PhD students in theoretical physics and have other successful courses here on Udemy.

I hope you are excited and I kindly welcome you to our course.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Atomic physics: experiments, equations, different models
Nuclear physics: models of the nucleus, stability of elements
Radioactive decay processes, nuclear fission & nuclear fusion
Particle physics: standard model of elementary particles

Fundamental properties: mass, charge, spin & fundamental interactions: gravity, electromagnetic, strong and weak interaction
Advanced lectures: quantum theory of the atom (schrödinger equation with examples)
Outlook: molecular physics & solid-states physics

Atomic physics: experiments, equations, different models
Nuclear physics: models of the nucleus, stability of elements
Radioactive decay processes, nuclear fission & nuclear fusion
Particle physics: standard model of elementary particles
Fundamental properties: mass, charge, spin & fundamental interactions: gravity, electromagnetic, strong and weak interaction
Advanced lectures: quantum theory of the atom (schrödinger equation with examples)
Outlook: molecular physics & solid-states physics

Syllabus

Introduction & Fundamentals

Structure of this course

About the following mathematics videos

[Mathematical Basics] Derivatives

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Follows a historical route from atomic physics to nuclear physics to particle physics, mirroring the progression of scientific discovery and understanding

Begins with phenomenological explanations accessible to high school students, then progresses to theoretical details at a university level

Discusses different models in atomic, nuclear, and particle physics and the experiments that disproved them, motivating the development of new models

Explores how nuclear reactions impact everyday life and potentially address future electricity demands, connecting theoretical knowledge to practical applications

Includes advanced lectures on quantum theory of the atom, such as the Schrödinger equation, providing a deeper dive into the theoretical underpinnings

Addresses the limits of the standard model of particle physics and introduces new approaches like quantum gravity or string theory, offering a glimpse into cutting-edge research

Reviews summary

Comprehensive atomic, nuclear, particle physics

According to learners, this course offers a positive and comprehensive overview spanning atomic, nuclear, and particle physics. Students appreciate that it covers the subject from classical models through to the Standard Model and even touches on advanced topics like quantum gravity. While the course is pitched from beginner to expert, some students note the difficulty increases significantly in later sections, requiring a solid grasp of the included mathematical basics. The instructor is generally seen as knowledgeable and effective in explaining complex concepts. The balance between introductory and advanced material makes it a valuable resource, though the depth in certain advanced areas may leave those seeking truly expert-level detail wanting slightly more.

High school math is stated, but more helps.

"While high school math is the stated prerequisite, being comfortable with calculus helps a lot in the later parts."

"The mathematical basics sections are helpful, but be ready to work through the examples provided."

"You'll need a decent understanding of integrals and derivatives to fully grasp the theoretical derivations."

"It's not just plug-and-play; understanding the equations is key."

Starts beginner, becomes challenging.

"The early sections were very accessible, great for refreshing my understanding."

"Once it hit quantum mechanics and particle physics, the pace picked up and it got much harder."

"This course truly goes from beginner to expert, be prepared for a steep learning curve later on."

"Some parts were quite challenging, especially the theoretical background sections."

Instructor explains complex topics well.

"The instructor does a great job of breaking down complex physics concepts."

"His explanations were clear and easy to follow, even for the harder topics."

"You can tell the instructor is very knowledgeable and passionate about the subject."

"I found the instructor's teaching style engaging."

Deep dives into theory and models.

"The course focuses heavily on the theoretical models and the historical experiments behind them."

"If you're interested in the 'why' and the equations, this course delivers."

"It provides a solid theoretical foundation for understanding the subject."

"I appreciated the detailed derivations in the theoretical background module."

Covers atomic to particle physics.

"I was impressed by the sheer range of topics covered, starting simple and moving to the very small."

"This course gives a great bird's-eye view of the entire field, which is exactly what I needed."

"From Dalton's model to the Higgs boson, it's all here in one place."

"The course structure provides a logical progression through the history and models."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Atomic, Nuclear & Particle Physics: From Beginner to Expert with these activities:

Review Basic Quantum Mechanics

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Reinforce your understanding of quantum mechanics to better grasp the quantum models of the atom discussed in the course.

Browse courses on Quantum Mechanics

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Review the postulates of quantum mechanics.
Practice solving simple Schrödinger equation problems.
Familiarize yourself with the concept of wave-particle duality.

Read 'Six Easy Pieces' by Richard Feynman

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Gain a conceptual understanding of fundamental physics principles before delving into the mathematical details.

View Six Not-So-Easy Pieces: Einstein's Relativity,... on Amazon

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Read one chapter per week.
Summarize the key concepts from each chapter.

Solve Problems on Nuclear Decay

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Solidify your understanding of nuclear decay processes by working through practice problems.

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Find practice problems on alpha, beta, and gamma decay.
Calculate half-lives and decay constants.
Check your answers against solutions.

Four other activities

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Compile a List of Isotopes and Their Properties

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Reinforce your knowledge of nuclear physics by compiling a list of isotopes and their properties.

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Research different isotopes of common elements.
Record their atomic mass, half-life, and decay modes.
Organize the information in a table or spreadsheet.

Create a Presentation on the Standard Model

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Deepen your understanding of particle physics by creating a presentation explaining the Standard Model.

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Research the fundamental particles and forces of the Standard Model.
Create slides with clear explanations and diagrams.
Practice presenting the material to a friend or family member.

Read 'QED: The Strange Theory of Light and Matter' by Richard Feynman

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Gain a deeper understanding of quantum electrodynamics and its role in particle physics.

View QED on Amazon

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Read one chapter per week.
Take notes on the key concepts and examples.

Build a Cloud Chamber

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Visualize particle tracks and radioactive decay by building a cloud chamber.

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Research cloud chamber designs and materials.
Gather the necessary materials (e.g., dry ice, alcohol, clear container).
Assemble the cloud chamber and observe particle tracks.
Document your observations and findings.

Career center

Learners who complete Atomic, Nuclear & Particle Physics: From Beginner to Expert will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Particle Physicist

A particle physicist studies the fundamental constituents of matter and their interactions. This course, with its focus on atomic, nuclear, and particle physics, provides relevant knowledge for this career. The course includes a section on the standard model of particle physics, including quarks, leptons, gauge bosons, the Higgs particle, and antimatter. The course also covers the limits of the standard model and new theoretical approaches, including quantum gravity. Aspiring particle physicists may find this course useful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Particle Physicist

Nuclear Engineer

Nuclear engineers design and develop nuclear equipment and processes. This course provides a comprehensive overview of nuclear physics, including detailed discussions of nuclear models, decay processes, and nuclear reactions such as fusion and fission. This equips any aspiring nuclear engineer with essential foundational knowledge. The nuclear physics section of this course may be valuable because it covers topics such as the liquid-drop and nuclear-shell models. Understanding these concepts would help a future nuclear engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Nuclear Engineer

Science Educator

Science educators teach science in middle schools, high schools, or informal settings like museums. This course may help science educators due to its clear presentation of complex topics in atomic, nuclear, and particle physics. The course begins with fundamental concepts and progresses to more advanced models and theories, mirroring a typical curriculum. This course's structure, intended for learners from beginner to expert, provides a solid foundation for teaching, making it useful for aspiring science educators.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Educator

Science Writer

Science writers communicate complex scientific topics to a general audience. This course, covering atomic, nuclear, and particle physics, could be useful for this role. The structured approach, moving from beginner to expert level, could be good training for explaining scientific progression. The breadth of topics discussed, from models to interactions, provides a good knowledge base for a science writer. The scientific history presented in this course is helpful for a science writer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Writer

Physics Professor

A physics professor teaches physics at the college or university level and conducts research. This course could help someone interested in becoming a physics professor, as it covers a broad range of topics including atomic, nuclear, and particle physics. The course's detailed discussions of fundamental concepts, historical models, and modern theories offer a rich base for teaching. It also provides an understanding of how models develop and evolve within scientific understanding, a good approach for a professor. The instructor's experience with theoretical physics, mentioned within the course, could provide valuable insights, making this course helpful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Physics Professor

Research Scientist

A research scientist investigates complex scientific questions, often in a laboratory setting. This course provides a strong foundation in atomic, nuclear, and particle physics, which are fundamental to many areas of scientific research. The course's coverage of different models, experimental validation, and theoretical concepts helps build an understanding of the scientific method, critical for any research scientist. Furthermore, the course's in-depth exploration of quantum mechanics and relativity, included in the theoretical background sections, are helpful to scientific research. This course may be helpful to aspiring research scientists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Computational Physicist

Computational physicists develop and use computational methods to solve complex physics problems. This course's emphasis on quantum mechanics, atomic models, nuclear physics and particle physics forms the theoretical background needed for a computational approach. The sections on theoretical background, including the Schrödinger equation, provide a helpful, fundamental understanding of the underlying physical principles that would be used in simulation. This course might be useful for aspiring computational physicists.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computational Physicist

Medical Physicist

Medical physicists apply physics principles to medicine, particularly in radiation therapy and medical imaging. This course may be valuable as it covers radioactivity, nuclear decay processes, and fundamental interactions. The course’s detailed look at nuclear physics, including radioactive decay and nuclear reactions, is directly relevant to the work medical physicists do. Moreover, the course may be helpful due to its clear articulation of the principles behind these processes. This course may help those in pursuit of medical physics.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Physicist

Materials Scientist

Materials scientists research and develop new materials for various applications. The course touches upon fundamental properties such as mass, charge, and spin, as well as fundamental forces such as electromagnetic interaction. Furthermore, the course's discussion of atomic and nuclear models could be used to inform the design and characterization of novel materials. Aspiring materials scientists may find this course helpful, as a deeper comprehension of these principles aids in the development of new materials.

See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Scientist

Science Policy Analyst

Science policy analysts evaluate and develop policies related to science and technology. This course may help a future science policy analyst due to its comprehensive coverage of atomic, nuclear, and particle physics. The course discusses the history of different models, their experimental verification, and the evolution of scientific understanding. This knowledge of the process of scientific development may be useful for evaluating policy implications. The different models in this course may provide a solid foundation for a science policy analyst.

See salaries and explore the career path for Science Policy Analyst

Environmental Consultant

Environmental consultants advise organizations on environmental issues. This course's coverage of nuclear decay processes, radioactivity, and their effects could be helpful. The course mentions nuclear fusion and fission, which are relevant topics for understanding the environmental impact of energy production. The knowledge of radioactive decay gained in this course may be useful for those interested in environmental consulting related to nuclear energy or radioactive materials.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Consultant

Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace engineers design and build aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems. This course's exploration of fundamental concepts in physics, particularly atomic and nuclear physics, provides a helpful base for understanding complex systems. The course covers electromagnetism, the study of which has applications in aerospace. An aerospace engineer may find this course useful for understanding the fundamental principles that underpin their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Aerospace Engineer

Patent Attorney

Patent attorneys specialize in the legal aspects of inventions and intellectual property, often in science and technology. The course's detailed exploration of atomic, nuclear, and particle physics could help a patent attorney who handles patents in these fields. Understanding complex scientific concepts may be helpful for evaluating patents and claims, as well as identifying prior art. The scientific material presented in this course may help a patent attorney in their line of work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Patent Attorney

Technology Consultant

Technology consultants advise organizations on how to use technology to achieve their goals. While this course is deeply rooted in physics, the analytical and problem-solving skills developed in understanding complex scientific systems may be applicable to technology consulting. Understanding the fundamental concepts of physics provides a foundation for thinking critically about technological solutions. This course may be helpful for developing a logical framework for understanding complex systems in technology.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technology Consultant

Data Analyst

Data analysts interpret and analyze complex data sets. While this course primarily focuses on physics, the skills developed in analyzing scientific data, understanding models, and evaluating experimental outcomes are relevant to data analysis. The course emphasizes the importance of models, and the use of mathematics to describe physical phenomena. The mathematical basics section in this course may be helpful. The analytical skills gained might be beneficial for data analysis, making this course useful to those in pursuit of this career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Atomic, Nuclear & Particle Physics

From Beginner to Expert

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Traffic lights

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Reviews summary

Comprehensive atomic, nuclear, particle physics

Activities

Career center

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