Module Code & Title: PHYS1B Electromagnetism and Relativity
Availability: Semester 2
Academic Unit: 4
Pre-requisite: Physics at A or H2 level or by approval
Module Description: Lecture: 13 x 3 hrs; Tutorial: 12 x 1 hrs
Content
This module introduces the concepts of electricity and magnetism and couples electromagnetic theory with relativity.
Principles of relativity; time dilation & length contraction; spacetime diagrams; Lorentz transformations; energy-momentum; force & mass; mass & energy.
Electric fields; Gauss’ law; electric potential; divergence and curl.
Conductors; electric currents; conduction; dc circuits.
Fields of moving charges; force on moving charges; general relativity.
Magnetic field; vector potential; magnetostatics; fields in motion; Hall effect.
Faraday’s law; induction; ac circuits; complex impedance; applications of Faraday’s law.
Maxwell’s equations; electromagnetic waves.
Electric dipoles; dielectrics; electric fields in matter.
Magnetic dipoles; magnetic materials; ferromagnetism; accelerating charges; superconductivity
Objectives
To familiarize students with concepts of electromagnetic fields and waves and their relation to the theory of relatvitiy.
Learning Outcomes
Students should be equipped with the ability to analyse problems in electrostatics and magnetostatics, and to understand the transformations of electromagnetic fields under relativistic conditions.
Module Assessment
Students will be assessed by:
a. Tutorial assignments (20%)
b. Term tests (20%)
c. Final exam (60%)