FYS241 Environmental Physics

Nuclear physics: radioactivity and decay, interactions of radiation with matter, biological effects of radiation, dose calculations, radiation protection, applications of nuclear physics, fission, fusion, reactor physics.

Atmospheric Physics: Composition and structure of the atmosphere, atmospheric thermodynamics, radiation transport in the atmosphere, cloud physics and precipitation formation, wind and weather systems, air masses and fronts, atmospheric models

Obtain comprehensive understanding of ionising radiation and climate change.

• Understand how radiation is produced, measured and interacts with matter. Key topics are radioactive decay processes, interaction mechanisms, biological, health and environmental effects of ionising radiation, nuclear fission and fusion, reactor physics, commercial nuclear reactors. The relationship between dose terms, radiation dose calculations and the evaluation of these in relation to international recommendations on radiation protection should be well understood.
• Achieve a comprehensive understanding of meteorology and climate within Earth- Atmosphere system. Gain knowledge of thermophysical processes and radiation transport in the atmosphere, understand how clouds and precipitation are formed. Describe wind systems and understand how weather systems originate and develop. Understand the principles behind numerical weather forecasting and other atmospheric modeling.
• The student should be able to evaluate risks associated with environmental problems, for both the individual and society.