FY534: Electromagnetism

Students taking the course are expected to:

• Have knowledge of calculus (MM536) and fundamentals of physics (FY529).

• Give skills in theoretical and experimental examination of specific physical phenomena
• Give knowledge and experience with fundamental theory formation and experimental methods of Physics
• Give competence to participate in professional and interdisciplinary cooperation with a professional approach based on experience with group-based project work

• recall basics of electric and magnetic fields,
• know basic formulae describing the interactions between electric charges, force of magnetic fields on electric charges and electric currents, 
• describe the function and applications of the most common electric components used in direct-current circuits,
• describe expressions for a number of electric and magnetic phenomena via mathematical models,
• describe electric and magnetic properties and behaviour of different materials,
• describe currents and voltages of alternating current circuits,
• describe interference phenomena among harmonic waves in one and two spatial dimensions,
• mathematically describe basic diffraction phenomena. 

• perform computations of electric field and electric potential of different charge distributions,
• explain the function and applications of the most common electric components used in direct-current circuits,
• evaluate expressions for magnetic fields, originating from electric direct currents in conductors, 
• perform calculations of currents and voltages of alternating current circuits including the evaluation of the impedance of different components and different types of circuits 
• explain the physical meaning of Maxwell’s equations and of the physical quantities entering in their definition, 
• explain how an optical microscope works and sketch the imaging and the illumination paths,
• explain the fundamental limitations diffraction phenomena place on resolution of optical/spectral instruments.

• analyse different phenomena of electric and magnetic fields and their effect on charged particles,
• analyse experimental setups that are shown in the course book,
• using geometric optics, analyze beam paths in optical systems with up to two components,
• report and analyse laboratory experiments in a formally correct and complete way (including discussion). 

• Electric charge and electric fields. Coulomb’s law and Gauss’ law,
• Electric potential energy and the electric potential,
• Electric material properties,
• Capacitance and direct-current circuits,
• Magnetic fields and the magnetic field of a current,
• The Lorentz force on an electrical conductor.
• Faraday’s law of induction,
• Magnetic properties of materials.

• DC circuits with resistor, capacitor and emf
• Measurement of the electric charge of the electron with water-splitting apparatus, characteristics of fuel and solar cells
• Magnetic forces, magnetic induction and torque on magnetic dipole.

• Inductance and alternating current circuits
• Maxwell equations in integral and differential form (electromagnetic waves; superposition principle)
• Light waves (Huygens’ principle; refraction and reflection)
• Mirrors and lenses (optical instruments, eye, telescope, microscope)
• Interference phenomena
• Diffraction (diffraction and resolution limit)

• AC circuits with resistor, capacitor and inductor.
• Optics: lenses, interference and diffraction.

D. Halliday, R. Resnick, and K. S. Krane, Physics, bind 2, 5. edition.
Handouts.
See Blackboard for syllabus lists and additional literature references.

• Study of textbook (D. Halliday, R. Resnick, and K. S. Krane, Physics, volume 2, 5th edition)
• Preparation for tutorials
• Preparation for laboratory exercises and subsequent writing of reports