Learning objectives

The course provides the fundamental knowledge of Electromagnetism and Optics in Classical Physics aimed at: 1) achieving a deep level of understanding of the physical principles and phenomena illustrated during the course, rigorous in the theoretical aspects, 2) making the student familiar with the mathematical formalism that allows the modeling of these phenomena, 3) providing methodologies for solving an applied problem in the field. At the end of the course the student will have: 1) solid knowledge of the fundamental physical laws of the electrical and magnetic phenomena, 2) ability in modeling a physical phenomena by determining the validity of known relations, 3) ability in applying the theory to different framework for solving problems in rigorous way and with a scientific method.

Prerequisites and basic notions

Physics 1.
Elements of vector analysis.

Program

- ELECTROSTATICS IN VACUUM
Experimental facts. Electric charge. Structure of matter. Coulomb law. Electric field E. Work of the electric F. Electrostatic potential energy and electrostatic potential. Flux of the field E and Gauss law. Discontinuities of the electric field. Differential equations of the electric field. Poisson and Laplace equations.
- ELECTROSTATICS IN CONDUCTORS
Conductors in equilibrium. Electrostatic induction. Electrostatic surface pressure. Cavity in a conductor. Electrostatic screening. Capacity. Capacitors.
Equilibrium in the electrostatic field. Uniqueness of the solution of the Laplace equation. Image method.
- ELECTROSTATICS IN DIELECTRICS
Electric dipole. Dipole in external field E. Energy of a dipole. Dipole approximation.
Electric field in materials. Uniform / non-uniform polarization. Linear dielectrics. Electrostatics equations in dielectrics.
- ELECTROSTATIC ENERGY
system of charges, system of conductors. Energy of a capacitor in vacuum and in dielectric media. Energy of the electric field. Energy of the point charge.
Motion of charges in electric field.
- ELECTRIC CURRENTS
Electric current, electromotive force. Classical theory of electrical conduction. Continuity equation for the charge.
Ohm law, joule effect, resistors. Kirchhoff laws, elementary circuits. Charge / discharge of a capacitor.
- MAGNETOSTATICS IN VACUUM
Experimental facts. Magnetic field B, F of Lorentz, II law of Laplace. Motion of charges in magnetic field. Hall effect. Magnetic dipole. Dipole in external field B. Field B of stationary currents. Circulation of the magnetic field B and Ampère law. Discontinuities of the magnetic field. Vector potential. I law of Laplace. Field B of a moving charge. Solenoidal fields, concatenated flux. Differential equations of the magnetic field.
- TIME-VARYING FIELDS
Electromagnetic induction - experimental facts, flux law. Induced electric field and Faraday law. Lenz law. Energy balance. Mutual Inductance. Self-inductance, inductances. RL circuit and variable EMF.
- MAGNETIC ENERGY
Intrinsic energy of the current, system of stationary currents. Energy of the magnetic field. Energy of a magnetic dipole.
- MAXWELL EQUATIONS AND ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES
Maxwell equations in integral and local form. Displacement current and Ampère-Maxwell law. Radiation of a circuit. Energy of the electromagnetic field. Energy flux and momentum of the e.m. field. Continuity equation. Potentials of the e.m. field.
Recalls on waves: transverse waves, longitudinal waves, harmonic wave, plane waves, spherical waves. D'Alembert wave equation. Maxwell equations in vacuum and the solution of e.m waves. Speed ​​of light, energy transported, intensity. Polarization. Electromagnetic spectrum. Principles of Optics.

Didactic methods

Theoretical lessons and exercises at the dashboard.

Learning assessment procedures

Written examination (3 hours):
The exam includes
1) electromagnetism exercises (related to the exercises program carried out);
2) theory questions (related to the entire program).
Oral examination:
on the topics of the course program

Evaluation criteria

- knowledge and understanding of the principles and the physical phenomena of classical electromagnetism
- to possess critical skills in the observation of electrical and magnetic phenomena and to know how to model these phenomena with a scientific method and adequate mathematical formalism
- to know how to apply the principles and the laws of physics to the different contexts for solving complex problems of electromagnetism.

Criteria for the composition of the final grade

Written examination includes exercises on electrostatics, magnetostatics, varying fields, and theoretical questions, for a total value of 30/30.

Exam language

italiano