Study information

Electromagnetism II (IS) - 2023 entry

MODULE TITLEElectromagnetism II (IS) CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEPHY3054 MODULE CONVENERProf Jacopo Bertolotti (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 4
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content
This module is an Independent Study version of PHY3051. It is taken by students remote from Exeter, e.g. at Stage 3 of F304 (MPhys Physics with Professional Experience), who are therefore unable to attend traditional lectures and tutorials.
 
This is the second electromagnetism module taken by Physics students. It builds on PHY2021 (Electromagnetism I) and covers fundamental physics that students are capable of directly observing. The dielectric and magnetic properties of solids are introduced and a range of interesting phenomena are covered including the scattering of light the propagation of electromagnetic waves, etc., are important in a wide variety of areas and in many key technologies. The early part of the module is primarily a recap and a reinforcing of the difficult material treated at the end of PHY2021.
 
AIMS - intentions of the module

The module aims to develop students' understanding of Maxwell's equations and their applications including some advanced topics. Specifically, students will get to the point where they can handle the fundamentals of fields due to moving charges and also to begin to explore the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
A student who has passed this module should be able to:
 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1. describe all the fundamental aspects of electromagnetism;
2. explain and solve problems involving the magnetic properties of materials;
3. explain and solve problems involving the dielectric properties of materials;
4. explain many aspects of the interaction of electromagnetic radiation with matter;
5. calculate the effect of such interactions using appropriate vector mathematics;
6. calculate the fields of moving charges;
7. solve problems requiring application of Maxwell's equations to a variety of situations as outlined in the syllabus below;
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
8. use vector analysis to solve problems in science and engineering;
 
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
9. develop and present a coherent solution to a problem;
10. self-evaluate, check and correct solutions to problems.
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
I. ELECTROMAGNETISM
  1. Maxwell's Equations and Electromagnetic Waves
    • Maxwell's equations for the electromagnetic field and constitutive equations
    • The equation of continuity
    • Electromagnetic plane waves in an insulating isotropic medium
    • Polarization, momentum and energy, the Poynting vector
    • Scalar and vector potentials
    • Gauge invariance, the Coulomb and Lorentz gauges
  2. Electromagnetic materials
    • Classical description of atomic polarisability, dispersion
    • Metals and the skin effect
    • Diamagnetism, paramagnetism and ferromagnetics: general concepts
    • Langevin (classical) theory of paramagnetism and electron paramagnetism
    • M–B loops
  3. Electromagnetic waves at boundaries and guiding waves
    • Examples of metallic waveguides: cylindrical, rectangular
    • Coaxial cables and distributed impedance: the Telegrapher's equations
    • Fresnel's equations and their optical consequences
QUANTUM MECHANICS
  1. Heisenberg's Approach to Quantum Mechanics
    • Matrix elements for a quantum harmonic oscillator
    • Electron spin and Pauli matrices
  2. Few-Particle Systems
    • Bose and Fermi particles, the Pauli principle
    • Two-electron system: spin addition and exchange interaction
  3. Structure of Many-Electron Atoms
    • Electron shells
    • Hund's rules,
    • The role of spin-orbit interaction
    • LS coupling scheme.
    • Zeeman effect in many-electron atoms
  4. Quantum Transitions
    • Perturbation theory
    • Fermi's golden rule formula
    • Rate of spontaneous emission
    • The ruby laser
 
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities Guided Independent Study 150 Placement / Study Abroad
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Guided independent study 30 hours 5×6-hour self-study packages
Guided independent study 16 hours 4×4-hour problem sets
Guided independent study 104 hours Reading, private study and revision

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Guided self-study (0%) 5×6-hour packages (fortnightly) 1-10 Self-evaluation
4 x Problems sets (marked by module convenor) (0%) 4 hours per set (fortnightly) 1-10 Written
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 0 Written Exams 100 Practical Exams
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Final Examination 100% 2 hours 30 minutes (January) 1-10 Mark via MyExeter, collective feedback via ELE and solutions.
         
         
         
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Whole module Written examination (100%) 1-10 August/September assessment period

Re-assessment is not available except when required by referral or deferral.

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES
An original assessment that is based on both examination and coursework, tests, etc., is considered as a single element for the purpose of referral; i.e., the referred mark is based on the referred examination only, discounting all previous marks. In the event that the mark for a referred assessment is lower than that of the original assessment, the original higher mark will be retained.
 
Physics Modules with PHY Codes
Referred examinations will only be available in PHY3064, PHYM004 and those other modules for which the original assessment includes an examination component - this information is given in individual module descriptors.
RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener
ELE:
 

Reading list for this module:

Type Author Title Edition Publisher Year ISBN
Set Griffiths, D. J. Introduction to Electrodynamics 4th Pearson Education 2014 978-0-321-85656-2
Extended Kittel, C. Introduction to Solid State Physics 8th edition Wiley 2005 978-0-471-41526-8
Extended Reitz, J. R., F. J. Milford and R. W. Christy Foundations of Electromagnetic Theory 4th edition Addison-Wesley 1993 0-201-52624-7
CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES PHY2021
CO-REQUISITE MODULES
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Thursday 15th December 2011 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 26th January 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH Physics; Maxwell's equations; Electromagnetic fields; Waves; Radiation; Properties of matter.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.