28628 - General Physics T-B

Learning outcomes

The aim of the course is to provide the basic knowledge of general concepts in electromagnetism, both in vacuum and in conductors, and to provide skills to apply these concepts in the solution of concrete problems.

Course contents

Introduction to electromagnetism. Macroscopic aspects: polarization, electrostatic induction. Coulomb's law. Microscopic aspects: fundamental constituents of matter, quantization of the electric charge.

Electrostatic field. Field lines. Gauss's law. Conservative fields. Electrostatic potential. Derivation of the potential for special cases: sphere, infinite cylinder, disk, infinite wire. Electric dipole. Curl of electrostatic field. Motion of charged particles in an electric field.

Conductors. Partial and complete induction. Electric field in conductors. Capacity of a conductor. Capacitors: spherical, cylindrical, plate capacitors. Capacitors in series and in parallel. Electrostatic energy for a system of charges, for a conductor, and for a capacitor. Density of electrostatic energy. Force between the plates of a capacitor. Electrostatics in matter. Polarization. Equations of electrostatics in the presence of dielectric materials.

Electric current. Intensity and density of electric current. Continuity equation and conservation of charge. Electrical resistance. Ohm's law. Joule effect. Electric generator. Circuits and Kirchhoff's laws. Quasi-stationary phenomena, RC circuits.

Stationary magnetic field. Experiments by Oersted and Ampere. First Laplace law. Linear conductors and loops. Lorentz force. Second Laplace law. Global and local properties of magnetic field: Ampere's theorem, curl and divergence. Coil and solenoid. Motion of charged particles in a magnetic field. Hall effect. Cyclotrone and spectrometer. Equivalence between a coil and a magnet. Magnetostatics in matter. Diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic materials. 

Variable magnetic fields. Faraday's law. Rotating loop in magnetic field. Coefficients of auto induction and mutual induction. Inductances in series and in parallel. RL, LC, and RLC circuits. Displacement current and Ampere-Maxwell's law.

Electromagnetic waves. Wave equation. Speed of light. Plane monochromatic waves. Energy and momentum of waves. Radiation pressure. Electromagnetic spectrum.

Readings/Bibliography

S. Focardi, I.G. Massa, A. Uguzzoni, M. Villa, Fisica generale - Elettromagnetismo, Seconda Edizione, CEA.

Teaching methods

• Lectures
• Exercises
• Simulations to illustrate key ideas and experiments
  

Assessment methods

• The exam consists of a mandatory written test and an optional oral test.
  
  
• There are six exams in one academic year: three in the winter session, two in the summer session, and one in the fall session.

• It is required to sign up for the exam through AlmaEsami.

• The written test includes numerical problems and theory questions. The highest grade achievable in the written test is 28. The test is 2-hour long and the use of pocket calculators is allowed, but it is not possible to bring textbooks or notes.

• If the final grade is higher or equal to 18, the student can ask to confirm the grade without the oral exam. If the grade is below 18, the student must take the written test again.

• The result of the written test is valid until the end of the session.

• Students can take a written test again to improve their grade; the previous grades will be deleted.
  

Teaching tools

Tutor.

Office hours

See the website of Sirio Belli