2023 Faculty Courses School of Science Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences Graduate major in Earth and Planetary Sciences
Advanced Earth and Space Sciences B
- Academic unit or major
- Graduate major in Earth and Planetary Sciences
- Instructor(s)
- Satoshi Okuzumi
- Class Format
- Lecture (Face-to-face)
- Media-enhanced courses
- -
- Day of week/Period
(Classrooms) - 5-6 Mon (石川台2号館Ishikawadai Bldg. 2 307) / 5-6 Thu (石川台2号館Ishikawadai Bldg. 2 307)
- Class
- -
- Course Code
- EPS.A411
- Number of credits
- 200
- Course offered
- 2023
- Offered quarter
- 1Q
- Syllabus updated
- Jul 8, 2025
- Language
- English
Syllabus
Course overview and goals
This course deals with the physics of gas and dust evolution in protoplanetary disks. Protoplanetary disks are gas disks surrounding young stars, and the solids in the disks are the building blocks of planets and other solid bodies. We will learn how micron-sized dust particles form kilometer-sized solid bodies called planetesimals.
Course description and aims
1) Understand the physical processes governing the evolution of gas and dust in protoplanetary disks, including the solar nebula
2) Become familiar with order-of-magnitude estimates --- how to understand physics underlying complex phenomena
Keywords
planet formation, protoplanetary disks, planetesimals, dust
Competencies
- Specialist skills
- Intercultural skills
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking skills
- Practical and/or problem-solving skills
Class flow
Each consists of a lecture and question time. In question time, students ask the instructor questions about the topic dealt with in the previous class.
Course schedule/Objectives
| Course schedule | Objectives | |
|---|---|---|
| Class 1 | Introduction |
Understand the basic concepts of protoplanetary disks and planetesimals |
| Class 2 | Protoplanetary disks 1: Structure |
Understand the structure of disks around young stars |
| Class 3 | Protoplanetary disks 2: Dynamics |
Understand how protoplanetary disks evolves |
| Class 4 | Protoplanetary disks 3: Observations |
Understand how dust particles move in gas disks |
| Class 5 | Particle motion in laminar protoplanetary disks |
Understand the vertical settling and radial drift of dust |
| Class 6 | Particle motion in turbulence 1: diffusion |
Understand the notion of diffusion |
| Class 7 | Particle motion in turbulence 2: collisions |
Understand how turbulence induces particles' collision velocity |
| Class 8 | Mechanics of dust aggregates 2: theory |
Understand how small grains stick together and form macroscopic bodies |
| Class 9 | Mechanics of dust aggregates 2: simulations and experiments |
Understand how small grains stick together and form macroscopic bodies |
| Class 10 | Planetesimal formation 1: global dust evolution |
Understand how dust grains grow and migrate in protoplanetary disks |
| Class 11 | Planetesimal formation 2: dust concentration |
Understand how micron-sized dust grains form (and do not form) kilometer-sized solid bodies |
| Class 12 | Motion of particles around a planet(esimal) |
Understand Hill's equation |
| Class 13 | Pebble accretion |
Understand how large solid bodies accrete dust particles in gas disks |
| Class 14 | Synthesis |
Understand outstanding issues in planetesimal formation studies |
Study advice (preparation and review)
To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.
Textbook(s)
None
Reference books, course materials, etc.
Handouts will be provided.
Evaluation methods and criteria
Grades will be based on in-class discussion and/or reports.
Related courses
- EPS.A410 ： Astrophysics and Planetary Physics A
- EPS.A413 ： Astrophysics and Planetary Physics D
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of physics, astronomy, and the solar system