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Physics IIB - PHYS202
The theory of electromagnetism, one of the most successful and most widely applied theories of modern physics, describes the properties and behaviour of electric and magnetic fields and their interaction with charged matter. This theory underlies all of modern optics, telecommunication and electrical engineering, and has played an important role in furthering our understanding of the fundamental forces of nature.
The basic laws of electromagnetism are introduced in this unit, and their important consequences and applications in electrostatics, magnetostatics and electrodynamics are studied. It is also shown how these laws can be re-expressed in terms of the more powerful mathematical language of vector calculus, which leads to the development of Maxwell's equations. These equations give a fully unified description of electromagnetism in both static and dynamic situations. The overwhelming success of these equations in describing electromagnetic phenomena is illustrated by studying electric and magnetic fields in matter, and electromagnetic waves. More advanced techniques of experimental physics including indirect measurement of microscopic quantities are covered in weekly guided laboratory sessions, as are further data analysis techniques and regular report writing.
| Credit Points: | 3 |
| When Offered: | S2 Day - Session 2, North Ryde, Day |
| Staff Contact(s): | Associate Professor Gavin Brennen |
| Prerequisites: |
(MATH136(P) or MATH235(P) or MATH133(P)) and [PHYS201(P) or (admission to BE or BEBA or BEBBA or BEBCom or BEBSc) and [(PHYS140(P) and PHYS143(P)) or (PHYS106(P) and PHYS107(P))] and MATH235(P))] |
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| Assessed As: | Graded |
| Offered By: | Department of Physics and Astronomy Faculty of Science |
Timetable Information
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