402-0737-00L Energy and Environment in the 21st Century (Part I)
| Semester | Autumn Semester 2018 |
| Lecturers | M. Dittmar |
| Periodicity | yearly recurring course |
| Language of instruction | English |
Courses
| Number | Title | Hours | Lecturers | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 402-0737-00 V | Energy and Environment in the 21st Century (Part I) | 2 hrs |
| M. Dittmar | |||
| 402-0737-00 U | Energy and Environment in the 21st Century (Part I) | 1 hrs |
| M. Dittmar |
Catalogue data
| Abstract | The energy and related environmental problems, the physics principles of using energy and the various real and hypothetical options are discussed from a physicist point of view. The lecture is intended for students of all ages with an interest in a rational approach to the energy problem of the 21st century. |
| Learning objective | Scientists and espially physicists are often confronted with questions related to the problems of energy and the environment. The lecture tries to address the physical principles of todays and tomorrow energy use and the resulting global consequences for the world climate. The lecture is for students which are interested participate in a rational and responsible debatte about the energyproblem of the 21. century. |
| Content | Introduction: energy types, energy carriers, energy density and energy usage. How much energy does a human needs/uses? Energy conservation and the first and second law of thermodynamics Fossile fuels (our stored energy resources) and their use. Burning fossile fuels and the physics of the greenhouse effect. physics basics of nuclear fission and fusion energy controlled nuclear fission energy today, the different types of nuclear power plants, uranium requirements and resources, natural and artificial radioactivity and the related waste problems from the nuclear fuel cycle. Nuclear reactor accidents and the consequences, a comparison with risks from other energy using methods. The problems with nuclear fusion and the ITER project. Nuclear fusion and fission: ``exotic'' ideas. Hydrogen as an energy carrier: ideas and limits of a hydrogen economy. new clean renewable energy sources and their physical limits (wind, solar, geothermal etc) Energy perspectives for the next 100 years and some final remarks |
| Lecture notes | many more details (in english and german) here: http://ihp-lx2.ethz.ch/energy21/ |
| Literature | Die Energiefrage - Bedarf und Potentiale, Nutzung, Risiken und Kosten: Klaus Heinloth, 2003, VIEWEG ISBN: 3528131063; Environmental Physics: Boeker and Egbert New York Wiley 1999 |
| Prerequisites / Notice | Science promised us truth, or at least a knowledge of such relations as our intelligence can seize: it never promised us peace or happiness Gustave Le Bon Physicists learned to realize that whether they like a theory or they don't like a theory is not the essential question. Rather, it's whether or not the theory gives predictions that agree with experiment. Richard Feynman, 1985 |
Performance assessment
| Performance assessment information (valid until the course unit is held again) | |
Performance assessment as a semester course | |
| ECTS credits | 6 credits |
| Examiners | M. Dittmar |
| Type | session examination |
| Language of examination | English |
| Repetition | The performance assessment is offered every session. Repetition possible without re-enrolling for the course unit. |
| Mode of examination | oral 20 minutes |
| Additional information on mode of examination | Language of examination: English or German / Prüfungssprache: Deutsch oder Englisch |
| This information can be updated until the beginning of the semester; information on the examination timetable is binding. | |
Learning materials
| Recording | Environmental Physics |
| Learning environment | Energy and Environment in the 21st Century |
| Only public learning materials are listed. | |
Groups
| No information on groups available. |
Restrictions
| There are no additional restrictions for the registration. |
