This module will look at some of the many ways that matter and radiation interact, in relativistic and non-relativistic physical contexts. The aims of the module are:
To see how physical phenomena can be applied and used to explain the appearance and spectra of celestial objects
To provide an astrophysical context for statistical mechanics
To introduce Einstein’s A and B coefficients
To understand the importance of the hydrogen 21cm line
To demonstrate how emission line ratios inform on physical properties.