12 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Spacecraft Propulsion, Magnetic Confinement Fusion, Semiconductor Device Fabrication
Document Summary
Astrophysics is a branch of astronomy that deals with the study of the physical and chemical properties of celestial objects, including stars, galaxies, and the universe as a whole. It aims to understand the origin, evolution, and behaviour of these objects by analysing the radiation they emit, their motions, and the way they interact with their surroundings. This field uses a wide range of scientific disciplines, including physics, chemistry, and mathematics, to understand the behaviour of objects in space: fusion: Fusion is a nuclear reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei come together to form a heavier nucleus. This process releases a large amount of energy, making it an attractive candidate for a sustainable energy source. Fusion reactions occur in stars, where temperatures are high enough to overcome the repulsive forces between nuclei and allow them to collide and fuse.
