The Department of Physics

Course Description

This course will introduce students to Fundamentals of Geophysics that will contribute to the advanced level Physics minor, Environmental Physics, as well as various applications in Physics. This course will focus on the following: Physics of the Earth, Earth’s magnetic field and its origin, Terrestrial heat flow, Introduction to Geophysical Prospecting, Seismic, Gravity, Magnetic and Resistivity methods and geophysical interpretation. Through in-class discussions, and problem solving sessions, Students would have an opportunity to improve their ability to reason through challenging situations in the physical Universe using basic principles to develop appropriate solutions. Assessment and evaluation is done in the form of in-course tests and a Final examination.

CONTENT

Physics of the Earth: The shape of the Earth: The Geoid and reference Spheroid, Gravity of the Earth, Measurement of gravity, Corrections to gravity measurements (gravity reductions); Latitude; Elevation; Topographs of surrounding terrain; Earth tides, and Density variations in the subsurface. Testing Isostasy by gravity measurements. Geoid height anomalies. Gravity Prospecting; Earth’s internal structure and origin; Heat Flow: Continental and Oceanic. Geophysical Prospecting: Propagation of seismic waves, The principles of seismic refraction and reflection. Electrical properties of rocks and minerals, Electrical prospecting methods: self-potential, dc resistivity, Wenner and Schlumberger arrangements. Earth’s Magnetic Field and Magnetic Prospecting.

GOALS/AIMS

• To enable students to develop a good understanding of the fundamental background required for more advanced studies of Geophysics.
• To produce graduates with good critical thinking and problem solving skills enabling them to apply required theory to the study and analysis of phenomena in applied Earth physics.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After successfully completing this course, students should be able to:

• Apply theoretical and observational principles to the analysis of phenomena in Earth physics.
• Analyse and organize information
• Communicate ideas and information
• Apply practical ideas and techniques
• Solve problems.

Assessment