Physics of Energy and the Environment


course ID

Lecturer

CFU

6

Length

14 Weeks

Semester DD

First


Course details

Estimates of energy resources and consumption, thermodynamics, analysis of efficiencies of energy transfer, energy storage, simple models for Greenhouse effect, trends in global average temperatures, climate debate, climate change, global climate models, solar energy, nuclear reactions in the sun, ocean and ozone, energy from fossil fuels and biomass, solar thermal and photovoltaics, solar cells, hydropower, wind energy, nuclear fission, nuclear fusion, environmental impact of nuclear energy, electricity and storage.

Pre-requisites: Introductory course in classical physics or thermodynamics 

Assessment: Written Test and a written Report on a chosen topic accompanied by a short oral presentation.

Objectives

LEARNING OUTCOMES: An introduction to the physics of energy generation and transfer by various technologies. Introduction to the Earth's climate and the science of climate change.