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  6. PX3512: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM

PX3512: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM (2016-2017)

Last modified: 28 Jun 2018 10:27


Course Overview

We are surrounded by electromagnetic phenomena; it is not possible to understand the physical world without them. In this course we will discuss the link between electricity and magnetism, noticing that changing electric magnetic fields generate electric fields and the other way around. This will lead to the introduction of Faraday’s law, hugely relevant to understand how we generate electricity, and to the introduction of Maxwell’s correction to Ampere’s law, which will lead to the astounding result that light is an electromagnetic wave! We will finish the course by exploring how electromagnetic waves propagate and how they are originated.




Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 3
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Carmen Romano
  • Dr Murilo Baptista

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • One of KL158Z The Physical Universe B (Passed) or PX1511 The Physical Universe - 2 (Passed) or PX1513 The Physical Universe B (Passed)
  • One of PX2014 Dynamical Phenomena (Passed) or PX2015 Dynamical Phenomena (Passed) or PX3017 Research and Computing Skills in Physics (Passed)
  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

  • PX3008 Electricity and Magnetism (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

The course content reflects the learning outcomes:
  • Electric fields related to their sources Coulomb's law.
  • Gauss' theorem (integral and differential form) Electric potential and Poisson's equation.
  • Electrostatic properties of media Electric dipole.
  • Dielectrics.
  • Polarisation.
  • Electric Displacement (D).
  • Relative permittivity Gauss' theorem in dielectric media.
  • Boundary conditions for E and D.
  • Capacitance Energy stored in electric fields.
  • Current density and conservation of charge.
  • Conductivity and resistance.
  • Magnetic fields related to their sources Biot-Savart law.
  • Ampere's theorem (integral and differential form) Gauss' theorem for magnetic fields.
  • Magnetostatic properties of media Magnetic dipole.
  • Magnetisation Magnetic Intensity (H).
  • Relative permeability.
  • Ampere's theorem in magnetisable media.
  • Boundary conditions for B and H.
  • Faraday's law Inductance.
  • Mutual inductance and the transformer.
  • Eddy currents Energy stored in magnetic fields.
  • Maxwell's equations.
  • Electromagnetic waves.
  • Waves in free space, dielectrics and conducting media.
  • Poynting vector Radiation and aerials.

Further Information & Notes

This is a course on fundamental electromagnetic phenomena; it aims to develop a physical appreciation of Maxwell's equations and their consequences. Practical applications and electromagnetic properties of materials are emphasised. The course is also a vehicle for the introduction of theorems in vector calculus that have wide application in physics. This course aims to develop an understanding of the electromagnetic properties of materials and of the dominant role of electromagnetism in technology based on the concepts embodied in Maxwell's equations.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination paper (50%), two mid-term exams (40%), and weekly tutorial sheets (10%). Resit: 1 two-hour written examination paper (50%) and resubmission of tutorial sheets and/or mid term exam as necessary.

Formative Assessment

By dialogue with the lecturer in class and by means of problem classes.

Feedback

Feedback will be immediate in problem classes and within two weeks (usually one) in summative assessments.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.
 

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