Module Details

The information contained in this module specification was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change, either during the session because of unforeseen circumstances, or following review of the module at the end of the session. Queries about the module should be directed to the member of staff with responsibility for the module.
Title Electromagnetism I
Code PHYS201
Coordinator Professor C Andreopoulos
Physics
C.Andreopoulos@liverpool.ac.uk
Year CATS Level Semester CATS Value
Session 2021-22 Level 5 FHEQ First Semester 15

Aims

To introduce the fundamental concepts and principles of electrostatics, magnetostatics, electromagnetism, Maxwell's equations, and electromagnetic waves; to introduce differential vector analysis in the context of electromagnetism; to introduce circuit principles and analysis (EMF, Ohm's law, Kirchhoff's rules, RC and RLC circuits); to introduce the formulation fo Maxwell's equations in the presence of dielectric and magnetic materials; to develop the ability of students to apply Maxwell's equations to simple problems involving dielectric and magnetic materials; to develop the concepts of field theories in Physics using electromagnetism as an example; to introduce light as an electromagnetic wave.


Learning Outcomes

(LO1) Demonstrate a good knowledge of the laws of electromagnetism and an understanding of the practical meaning of Maxwell's equations in integral and differential forms.

(LO2) Apply differential vector analysis to electromagnetism.

(LO3) Demonstrate simple knowledge and understanding of how the presence of matter affects electrostatics and magnetostatics, and the ability to solve simple problems in these situations.

(LO4) Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how the laws are altered in the case of non-static electric and magnetic fields and the ability to solve simple problems in these situations.

(S1) Problem solving skills.

(S2) Analytic skills applied to the study of electromagnetic phenomena.

(S3) Mathematical skills applied for the development of deep intuition on electromagnetic phenomena and to the study of physical systems.


Syllabus

 

Electric charge, Coulomb’s law, Charge density Electric field, Principle of Superposition Electric flux, Gauss’ law (integral form) Mutual potential energy of point charges, electric potential Calculating the field from the potential (gradient) Circulation, charges on conductors Gauss’ law in differential form (divergence) Circulation law in differential form (curl) Poisson’s and Laplace’s laws and solutions Electric dipole Electrostatics and conductors, method of images Gauss’ and Stokes’ theorems EMF, potential difference, electric current, current density, resistance, Ohm’s law Circuits, Kirkhhoff’s rules Capacitance, calculation of capacitance for simple cases, RC circuits Dielectrics, polarization, electric displacement field Capacitance in the presence of dielectrics, force on a dielectric Magnetism, magnetic field, Biot-Savart law Lorentz force, force between currents Charged particle motion in magnetic field, vel ocity filter Magnetic dipole field, Ampere’s law in integral and differential forms Maxwell’s equations in vacuum for steady conditions Vector potential Magnetic materials, magnetization, magnetic field strength Maxwell’s equations in the presence of materials for steady conditions Motion of conductors inside magnetic fields, Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws Time-varying fields, Maxwell’s equations for the most general case Derivation of electromagnetic waves from Maxwell’s equations, speed of light LCR circuits.


Teaching and Learning Strategies

Teaching Method 1 – Lectures delivered online.
Description: Lecture to entire cohort on all course topics over VLE.
Attendance Recorded: No
Notes: = Nominal 2 x 1-hour lectures/week.

Teaching Method 2 - Workshops delivered on campus.
Description: Weekly problem-solving classes to learn together with guidance from staff and receive feedback.
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: = 12 x 1-hour workshops.


Teaching Schedule

  Lectures Seminars Tutorials Lab Practicals Fieldwork Placement Other TOTAL
Study Hours 24

  12

      36
Timetable (if known)              
Private Study 114
TOTAL HOURS 150

Assessment

EXAM Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
Examination There is a resit opportunity. Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment. Assessment schedule: Semester 1.  150 minutes    70       
CONTINUOUS Duration Timing
(Semester)
% of
final
mark
Resit/resubmission
opportunity
Penalty for late
submission
Notes
5 problem sets covering weeks 1-5 Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment.      15       
5 problem sets covering weeks 6-10 Standard UoL penalty applies for late submission. This is an anonymous assessment.      15       

Recommended Texts

Reading lists are managed at readinglists.liverpool.ac.uk. Click here to access the reading lists for this module.