How Can Quantum Mechanics Illuminate Our Understanding of Astrophysics?

[judonight]

Ok, so I need a topic to present.

I am taking Quantum mechanics, introduction to astrophysics, and a seminar class... I need a topic for a 30-40 minute presentation for each class, and was wondering if there are any interesting topics that tie QM and astro together... thus, one presentation that I can do in all three classes.

I am welcome to any and all ideas!

 

[cesiumfrog]

cross sections.. advances in particle accelerator physics drive our understanding of stellar evolution. Or more simply, sunlight depends on quantum tunneling..

 

[judonight]

Interesting... thanks for the input!

Doing three presentations on one topic will make my life a lot less stressful! I am open to any topics you guys can come up with!

 

[gammamcc]

speaking of collisions - how 'bout ionisation loss?

A clear application would be to study the energy loss of fast-moving particles in high energy collision (eg. a high speed electron moving through a hydrogen cloud). The collision parameters involved vary from the quantum regime to the semiclassical - all with relativity mixed in.

This isn't so new, but interesting none-the-less. There's some math, but not out of reach.

 

[judonight]

I wouldn't be intimidated by most math...

I've had math through a second partial differential equations class... if it is beyond that, then, I suppose I could be intimidated!

 

[gammamcc]

No, just some integrals and inserting a whole assortment of estimates from various theories.

Look up books on high energy astrophysics.

Good luck.

 

[Helios]

Seminar

Maybe solve Shrodenger's equ. for "particle in a sphere" and compare this to Emden's eqn. ( when polytropic index = 2 ). The eqns. are practically identitical hence an interesting seminar.