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2005/06 Undergraduate Module Catalogue

PHYS2200 Maxwell's Equations

10 creditsClass Size: 96

Module manager: Dr J R Henderson
Email: j.r.henderson@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) View Timetable

Year running 2005/06

Pre-requisites

PHYS1090, PHYS1051, PHYS2160 or equivalent

This module is approved as an Elective

Objectives

At the end of this module you should be able to:
- state Maxwell's equations and discuss their derivation from the physical laws of electromagnetism, in vacuo and in dielectric and magnetic media;
- describe the nature and properties of electromagnetic waves;
- evaluate the nature of polarized EM waves and their reflection and refraction by boundaries;
- carry out standard phasor analyses of basic problems in interference/diffraction and AC circuits.

Skills outcomes
Ability to comprehend everyday electromagnetic phenomena in the context of classical field theory - transferable to Geophysics, Engineering, Medical Physics, etc.Ability to comprehend everyday electromagnetic phenomena in the context of classical field theory - transferable to Geophysics, Engineering, Medical Physics, etc.


Syllabus

Maxwell's Equations:
(A) In vacuo with charges: E field, Gauss and Poisson; B field; Displacement current, Maxwell's extension of Ampere's law; Faraday; EM waves in vacuo, relativistic invariance; Energy and momentum in EM waves; EM spectrum; Generation of EM waves.
(B) In dielectric and magnetic media: Polarization and local fields, dielectric constant, D, JD; Magnetization, JM, H; Boundary conditions at interfaces; Summary of Maxwell's equations; Refractive index.
EM waves in Optics:
Polarized waves; Reflection and refraction; Brewster angle; Group and phase velocities.
Phasors:
Interference in thin films; Interferometers; Single slit diffraction; Diffraction gratings; AC currents in resistors inductors and capacitors; LCR circuits; Complex impedance; Resonance.

Teaching methods

Lectures: 22 x 1 hour.

Private study

Private study: 78 hours (of which a minimum of 18 hours is associates with marked exercises).

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

6 x marked exercises.

Methods of assessment

1 x 2 hour written exam at the end of the semester: 85%;
6 marked homework exercises: 15%.

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 19/04/2005

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