07/18/2023
By Robert Pierzynski Jr

The Kennedy College of Sciences, Department of Physics and Applied Physics, invites you to attend a Master’s thesis defense by Robert Pierzynski Jr on "New Polytropic Interior Models of Uranus and Neptune That Include Superionic Water."

Candidate Name: Robert Pierzynski Jr.
Degree: MS
Defense Date: Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Time: noon to 1 p.m.
Location: This will be a virtual defense via Zoom. Those interested in attending should contact MS candidate Robert_Pierzynski@student.uml.edu at least 24 hours prior to the defense to request access to the meeting.

Thesis/Dissertation Title: New Polytropic Interior Models of Uranus and Neptune That Include Superionic Water

Committee Members:

  • Committee Chair Ofer Cohen, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Physics & Applied Physics, UMass Lowell
  • Timothy Cook, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Physics & Applied Physics, UMass Lowell
  • Andrew Rogers, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Physics & Applied Physics, UMass Lowell

Abstract: The four outer giant planets’ internal properties are not well understood. We use theory and modeling to estimate the internal mechanisms inside the outer planets. Jupiter and Saturn have been studied at length observationally due to multiple probes that were sent to those planets. The two outermost ice giant planets, Uranus and Neptune, have not been as thoroughly studied. The focus of this paper is to understand more about the interior of the two ice giant planets, and to apply new detailed models and theoretical calculations into better understanding the properties of the planets. We utilize a polytropic model to not only understand the density of the compositional layers of each planet, but we generate new temperature and internal luminosity models based on polytropic processes as opposed to previously used adiabatic models. We also propose that the theorized state of water in the interiors of the two ice giants, known as superionic water, influences the thermal properties inside the planets. We used the results of our models, along with known properties of superionic water, to create an internal energy model of the ice giant planets. This new model improves on previous models that don’t fully include the compositional changes or polytropic thermodynamic processes.