Structure of Matter
Course code
MLF6019.LT
old course code
Course title in Estonian
Aine struktuur
Course title in English
Structure of Matter
ECTS credits
7.0
Assessment form
Examination
lecturer of 2026/2027 Autumn semester
Erkki Soika (language of instruction:Estonian)
lecturer of 2026/2027 Spring semester
Not opened for teaching. Click the study programme link below to see the nominal division schedule.
Course aims
To support the development of systemic knowledge about the structure of matter at different levels, nuclear and radiation physics;
To support the integrative understanding of physics and biology through radiation physics.
To support the integrative understanding of physics and biology through radiation physics.
Brief description of the course
Photoelectric effect. Quantum hypothesis. Compton effect. Fundamentals of atomic physics: Bohr atomic model, quantum mechanical atomic model, X-rays, Moseley's law. Fundamentals of nuclear physics: radioactivity. Composition of the atomic nucleus, nuclear forces, binding energy, nuclear reactions. Elementary particles. Interaction of radiation and matter, measurement of radioactive radiation. Biological effects of radiation.
Solving problems on the above topics.
Laboratory work. Geiger-Müller counter, its setup and operation. Study of the absorption and scattering of ionizing radiation. Half-life and its determination. Study of the laws of infrared radiation. Study of the parameters of absolutely black body radiation. Spectral analysis.
Solving problems on the above topics.
Laboratory work. Geiger-Müller counter, its setup and operation. Study of the absorption and scattering of ionizing radiation. Half-life and its determination. Study of the laws of infrared radiation. Study of the parameters of absolutely black body radiation. Spectral analysis.
Learning outcomes in the course
Upon completing the course the student:
- knows the different levels of the structure of matter;
- uses mathematical models and physical argumentation to justify the relationships between the structure and properties of matter;
- presents physical results in a correct scientific format and uses professional terminology accurately;
- understands the structure and development of the physical world;
- understands the effects of different types of radiation on living organisms and radiation protection;
- is able to solve problems in the fields of radiation and nuclear physics;
- is able to apply the laws of radiation physics and atomic physics in describing and analyzing experimental results;
- is able to conduct experiments in the field of matter structure and radiation physics, apply the corresponding theory to the analysis of experimental data;
- is able to select and use appropriate measuring instruments and observe safety requirements, measure the radioactivity of preparations and apply safety requirements when handling radioactive preparations;
- can assess the accuracy of the results obtained and compare them with the conclusions drawn from the theory.
- knows the different levels of the structure of matter;
- uses mathematical models and physical argumentation to justify the relationships between the structure and properties of matter;
- presents physical results in a correct scientific format and uses professional terminology accurately;
- understands the structure and development of the physical world;
- understands the effects of different types of radiation on living organisms and radiation protection;
- is able to solve problems in the fields of radiation and nuclear physics;
- is able to apply the laws of radiation physics and atomic physics in describing and analyzing experimental results;
- is able to conduct experiments in the field of matter structure and radiation physics, apply the corresponding theory to the analysis of experimental data;
- is able to select and use appropriate measuring instruments and observe safety requirements, measure the radioactivity of preparations and apply safety requirements when handling radioactive preparations;
- can assess the accuracy of the results obtained and compare them with the conclusions drawn from the theory.
Teacher
Erkki Soika PhD; Neeme Lumi PhD
Prerequisite course 1
Additional information
Aines osalemise aluseks on vaja läbida aine MLF6044 Optika
Study programmes containing that course