Acquire the knowledge of electric and magnetic field and potential; Maxwell’s equations, in both differential and integral form; and properties of dielectrics and magnetic materials. In addition to the theoretical subject matter, several experiments in electricity and magnetism are performed by the students in the laboratory.
Course Prerequisites
Experimental Physics for Ai, Calculus, Theoretical and computational linear algebra
Teaching Methods
Lectures and exercise sessions. Lab sessions.
Assessment Methods
Homeworks for self-evaluation, reports of the lab sessions, written or oral exam, depending on the number of partecipant (< 5, then oral).
Texts
Introduction to electrodynamics David J. Griffiths, Reed College. – Fourth edition. pages cm Includes index. ISBN-13: 978-0-321-85656-2 (alk. paper) ISBN-10: 0-321-85656-2 (alk. paper)
Contents
The class begins with electrostatics, focusing on electric charge, fields, potential, and their applications. It then moves to magnetostatics, covering magnetic fields, forces, the Biot-Savart and Ampere's laws, and magnetic materials. Finally, electrodynamics is explored, including electromotive force, induced electric fields, Faraday's law, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic waves, and their properties, along with the study of electric current, DC circuits, and the behavior of electromagnetic waves.
Detailed program:
1. Electrostatics: • Electric charge, electric field, and Coulomb's law. • Gauss's law and its applications. • Electric potential, potential difference, and energy. • Conductors, dielectrics, and capacitors. 2. Magnetostatics: • Magnetic field and magnetic forces. • Biot-Savart law and Ampere's law. • Magnetic materials and their properties. 3. Electrodynamics: • Electromotive force, induced electric fields, and Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction. • Maxwell's equations and their integral and differential forms. • Electromagnetic waves and their properties. Electric Current and DC Circuits: • Electric current: Definition, Ohm's law, and resistance • DC circuits: Series and parallel circuits, Kirchhoff's laws, and circuit analysis techniques • RC circuits: Time constant, charging and discharging of capacitors
