Having got TMA03 out of the way, it's time to start looking at TMA 04. This TMA contributes up to 13% of the module score and must be submitted by Friday 23rd May 2025. Submission days have been Tuesdays up until now, but I suspect the reason for the slightly earlier than usual submission date is to allow the tutor to mark it and return it with, hopefully, useful feedback in time for the final exam.
Question 1 (20 marks)
This involves writing a Python program to plot radioactive decay graphs of various radioactive isotopes, which is then peer reviewed. I have to reflect on their critique of my efforts and suggest how I would modify my code in light of this. I am then expected to peer review somebody else’s Python code, who will undoubtedly have to reflect on my criticism.
Question 2 (20 marks)
This involves writing a Python program to determine the best-fit blackbody temperature to some cosmic microwave background radiation data obtained by the Cosmic Background Explorer (COBE) satellite. This is quite difficult, but the hardest part is understanding what the question is actually asking for. Parts of the question appear in at least two places, the TMA question paper and the online Jupyter notebook.
The second part of the question then asks how the program can be adapted so that it automatically finds the best-fit temperature, without the need for the user to input trial values.
Question 3 (16 marks)
This question concerns writing up an experiment to measure the distance to the Moon. This is performed by holding up a coin of a known size to the night sky and looking at it so that it just obscures the image of the moon seen by eye. By using a bit of theory on angular measurements and doing bit of maths it’s possible to estimate a value for the distance of the moon from the earth. Its one of those 'kitchen sink' type activities that has S112 written all over it.
Question 4 (16 marks)
This involves estimating dust grain size by measuring the diameter of craters on photographs of aluminium foil caused by the impact of high velocity dust particles and displaying the results as a histogram. There is also an equation that relates particle size with crater size which is used in the calculation.
Question 5 (16 marks)
This is composed of several 'short answer' questions on the processes and events that have occurred in the Universe throughout its history, focussing on nucleosynthesis, which is the name given to the creation of new nuclei.
Question 6 (12 marks)
This is the obligatory ‘self-reflection on skills development’ and posting radar diagrams part of the assignment, which is easy marks if you don’t weaken. Unfortunately, many do, and don't bother attempting it.