Download Course Specifications

Course
Specifications
Valid as from the academic year 2015-2016
Electromagnetism (C002132)
Course size
Credits 5.0
(nominal values; actual values may depend on programme)
Study time 125 h
Contact hrs
37.0 h
Course offerings and teaching methods in academic year 2017-2018
A (semester 1)
lecture
25.0 h
seminar: coached exercises
10.0 h
Lecturers in academic year 2017-2018
Verstraelen, Toon
WE05
Offered in the following programmes in 2017-2018
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
lecturer-in-charge
crdts
5
offering
A
Teaching languages
Dutch
Keywords
Basic Physics, Electricity, magnetism, electromagnetic oscillations, waves and radition
Position of the course
This course constitutes the third part of general, fundamental physics in the “classical”
domain that consists of three major, all-semester courses: I. Mechanics, II. Waves and
Optics and Thermal Physics, and III. Electromagnetism (incl. relevant aspects of
Modern Physics).
The objective of this third part is to gradually develop the theory of electromagnetism in
a “soft” mathematical framework and emanating from the very initial experiments in the
domain of electrostatics on the one hand, and those in the area of magnetism on the
other hand. This approach finally results in the four fundamental laws of Maxwell that
govern all electromagnetic phenomena that are known to date. Numerous relevant
examples of these phenomena are presented, discussed and explained, commonly on
the basis of elementary mathematics. The paramount importance from the point of view
of scientific education and training, is that the student, by this logical and deductive
approach, learns how a completely developed domain in natural sciences gradually
evolves from basic experiments that lead to fundamental laws. As in Physics 1 and
Physics 2, the essential role played by basic calculus in the whole of this process is
highlighted.
Contents
Theory:
• Chapter 1: electric charge and electric field
• Chapter 2: Gauss's law
• Chapter 3: electric potential
• Chapter 4: capacitance, dielectrics, electric energy storage
• Chapter 5: electric currents and resistance
• Chapter 6: DC circuits
• Chapter 7: magnetism
• Chapter 8: sources of magnetic field
• Chapter 9: elektromagnetic induction and Faraday's law
• Chapter 10: inductance, electromagnetic oscillations and AC circuits
• Chapter 11: Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic waves
• Chapter 12: Some aspects of Modern Physics: wave-particle duality (photoelectric
• effect, Compton scattering), stimulated emission (the laser), uncertainty principle of
• Heisenberg, introduction of the wave function.
Exercises:
Guided problem solving of exercises that implement the theory and that are
(Approved)
1
focussed on pratical implementations of the theory.
Initial competences
A student taking this course has experienced a successful pre-education in the
preceding courses "Physics I: mechanics" and "Physics II: waves, optics and thermal
physics" (to be substantiated by granted credits) or has acquired the herein aimed-at
competences through similar educational units (also to be substantiated by granted
credits). The student also possesses the required knowledge of the relevant basic
mathematical concepts concerning trigonometry and calculus as evidenced by a credit
obtained for the course "Mathematics I: fundamental methods" or has acquired the
herein aimed-at competences through similar educational units (also to be
substantiated by granted credit(s)).
Final competences
1 Have the ability to describe and analyse electrical and magnetical phenomena.
2 Have the ability to use and apply the various physics laws of electricity and
1 magnetism.
3 Be able to recognise physical misconceptions in the popular media.
4 Have insight in orders of magnitude of physical quantities and measurement errors.
Conditions for credit contract
Access to this course unit via a credit contract is determined after successful competences
assessment
Conditions for exam contract
This course unit cannot be taken via an exam contract
Teaching methods
Lecture, seminar: coached exercises
Extra information on the teaching methods
Main course (theory): oral sessions based on slides presentations.
“Worked-out problems and exercises” sessions: oral (on blackboard + slides) with
interactive input by student.
Learning materials and price
Cost: Approximately 70 euro
• D. C. Giancoli, Natuurkunde, deel 2, 4e editie: Elektriciteit, magnetisme, optica en
• moderne fysica (English version available)
• Slides used during the theory and exercise lessons are made available for the
• students through Minerva.
• Formularium, available through Minerva.
References
See teaching and learning material.
Course content-related study coaching
Guided problem solving. Possibility to ask questions before and after the theory lessons
and electronically (Minerva). Feed back after announcement of the global evaluation
results.
Evaluation methods
end-of-term evaluation
Examination methods in case of periodic evaluation during the first examination period
Written examination with open questions, written examination with multiple choice questions
Examination methods in case of periodic evaluation during the second examination period
Written examination with open questions, written examination with multiple choice questions
Examination methods in case of permanent evaluation
Possibilities of retake in case of permanent evaluation
not applicable
Extra information on the examination methods
Period aligned evaluation: written exam (closed book with possibility to use an available
formularium) existing of multiple-choice questions with standard setting and problemsolving as open questions and/or multiple-choice questions with standard setting
Calculation of the examination mark
Evaluation for theory and problem-solving at the end of semester to probe the students'
knowledge and insight and the ability to apply the basic laws of electromagnetism to
(Approved)
2
practical problems (this part counts for 40% of total score).
(Approved)
3