Download PHY 403

Syllabus
FALL 2012
PHYSICS 403/503 ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM I
Physics 403/503 is the first semester of a one year junior/senior/graduate level course on
electromagnetism. The topics include vector analysis, electrostatics, magnetostatics, and electric
fields in matter. Students should by the end of the semester be prepared for time varying fields
and sources to be covered in the second semester. The table below lists the PHY 403 topics in
more detail, and the related learning expectations.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
OUTCOME ASSESSMENT
Students are expected to master the following:
Learning on topics is assessed as follows:
Vector Algebra. Differential Calculus. Integral
Calculus. Curvilinear coordinates. Dirac Delta
Vector Analysis
HW 1-14, Midterms 1 and 2, and Final.
Function. Helmholtz Theorem and use of potentials.
[3]
Coulomb’s Law, the electric field, Gauss’ Law,
Curl of E. Electric potential, Poisson’s and
Electrostatics
Laplace’s equations. [1,2,3,5] Work and energy in HW 3 - 6, Midterms 1 and 2, and Final
electrostatics. Properties of conductors. Capacitors
[1,3]
Laplacian in Cartesian, spherical and cylindrical
HW 7-9, Midterm 2, and Final
coordinates. Boundary conditions and the
Solutions to Poisson’s and
uniqueness theorems. [1,2,3] Method of images.
Laplace’s Equations
Separation of Variables. Multipole expansion.
Electric field of a dipole. [1,2,3]
Polarization. Field of a polarized object. Electric
Electric Fields in Matter
HW 10-11, Midterm 2, and Final
displacement. Linear Dielectrics. [1,2,3]
Lorentz Force. Biot-Savart Law. [1,5] Divergence
Magnetostatics
HW 12-14 and Final
and Curl of B. Magnetic vector potential. [1,2,3]
TOPIC UNITS
Instructor and Hours
Instructor:............Dr. Alexander Khaetskii
Lecture Hours:.....M,W,F: 12:00-12:50 pm
Lecture Room:..... 422 Fronczak
Office Hours:.......Wed. 11:00 to 12:00 am, Thu. 2:00 to 3:00 pm
Office:..................305 Fronczak
Telephone:...........645-6607
e-mail:[email protected]
Required Textbook
Introduction to Electrodynamics by D.J. Griffiths, Third Edition (Prentice Hall).
Grading
Final grades will be based on your scores on two midterms exams, a comprehensive final exam
and the homework assignments as follows:
Exam 1:.......25%
Exam 2:.......25%
Final Exam:...35%
Homework:.....15%
Exam Schedule and Content
Exam 1................ 6:00 – 7:50 p.m., Wed., Oct. 10, ( )..........Chs. 1 – 2
Exam 2................ 6:00 – 7:50 p.m., Wed., Nov. 14, ( ) Chs. 3 – 4.2
Final Exam: To be determined by the university and announced at MyUB.
Letter grades will be assigned to your cumulative percentage numerical grade. Final
grade distributions will depend on the performance of the class. Note that homework counts for
15% of your grade. As for any other physics class, the points you get from homework
assignment are nothing compared to what you get back on exams by doing the homework.
Homework
Homework assignments are posted under Assignments at UBLearns. Neatly written solutions to
the assigned homework problems must be turned in to the instructor before 5:00 p.m. on the due
days. Please put these in the instructor’s mailbox in the department office. Assignments slipped
under the office door often get lost or damaged. 1or 2 randomly chosen problems in each set
will be graded. A numerical score will be assigned for each homework set based on graded
problems. Late homework will not be graded.
You are encouraged to form study groups with your classmates and seek help from the
instructor during office hours as you attempt to solve the problems. Make sure that you
understand the solutions and write them up yourself. Solutions to the homework problem sets
will be posted after the due date on the course homepage.
Exams
Exams will consist of problems similar to the worked example problems in the text and
the assigned homework problems. An equation sheet is allowed for all the exams. No other
written or printed materials are allowed. Full credit on exams will be awarded for complete
solutions including drawing a figure and deriving necessary formulas if appropriate, and for
numerically accurate answers with units. Partial credit may be given for correct derivations if the
answer is numerically wrong due to arithmetic errors. No credit will be given for equations
written down at random or for numerical answers that are not supported by a reasonably
complete derivation.
The best way to prepare for the exams is to study the example problems and work out the
assigned homework problems each week. You should work as many additional problems from
the text as your time permits. This is the best way to insure your understanding of the material.
Regrading
Exams will be graded and returned to you and solutions will be posted. You may request
regrading of specific parts of your exam by returning it to Dr. Khaetskii in class or during office
hours within one week after it has been returned to you. This request should be accompanied by
a note specifying which problem parts you wish regraded and why. The note should be attached
to the exam. Only one regrade request will be allowed for each exam. Please do not write on
your exam booklet or alter it in any way.
Missed Exams
You will be assigned a score of zero on any exam you miss. You may request a make-up
exam if you have a valid excuse. A valid excuse is a documented major emergency, or a written
certification by a registered medical practitioner stating explicitly that you should not attend
school due to illness. Conflicts with other academic activities might also be considered as a valid
excuse, but they have to be discussed with the instructor ahead of time.
If you maintain a passing average on the midterm exams and homework but miss the
final exam with a valid excuse you may request an incomplete grade (I) for the course. It is your
responsibility to find out the university default deadline for finishing your Incomplete.
Home Page
This course has a home page at ublearns.buffalo.edu. Check out the home page for
general information, announcements, homework problem assignments and solutions,
examination solutions, and grades. Students who are not officially registered for the course
should let the instructor know so that they are allowed access to the course homepage.
Students with Disabilities
If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodations to enable you to
participate in this course, such as extended time on exams and assignments, please contact the
Office of Disability Services, 25 Capen Hall, (tel. 745-2608), and also see your lecture instructor
during the first two weeks of class.
Calendar, Reading Assignments & Homework Deadlines
WEEK OF................ READING............. HOMEWORK DUE
8/27....……. Ch. 1.1 – 1.2....... HW#1 due 8/31
9/3.......……. Ch. 1.3 -1.4......... HW#2 due 9/7
9/10 ......…. Ch. 1.5 -1.6..............HW#3 due 9/14
9/17......….. Ch. 2.1-2.2.2......... HW#4 due 9/21
9/24............ Ch. 2.2.3-2.3......... HW#5 due 9/28
10/1............ Ch. 2.4.-2.5........... HW#6 due 10/5
10/8............ Ch. 3.1-3.2 …....... HW#7 due 10/12
Wed. 10/10..... Exam 1 (Chs. 1 - 2)
10/15.......... Ch. 3.3……........... HW#8 due 10/19
10/22...... Ch. 3.4....................... HW#9 due 10/26
10/29........Ch. 4.1-4.2................ HW#10 due 11/2
11/5.......... Ch. 4.3-4.4................HW#11 due 11/9
Wed. 11/14.....Exam 2 (Chs. 3 – 4.2)
11/12..........Ch. 5.1-5.2.............. HW#12 due 11/16
11/19...... Ch. 5.3………........... HW#13 due 11/30
Fall Recess: 11/21-11/24
11/26........ Ch. 5.4...................... HW#14 due 12/7
12/3.......... Ch. 5.4 & review......
Final Exam (Chs. 1-5): check university final exam schedule at MyUB