Course program
- Elements of differential calculus
- Electrostatics, electric field and potentials
- Electric field and conductors
- Electric fields in matter: dieletrics
- Steady electrical current
- Magnetostatics
- Magnetic fields in matter
- Electric and magnetic fields varying with time: electrodynamics
- Electromagnetic waves
- Introduction to Relativity
-Covariant formulation of electrodynamics
- Exercises
Adopted texts
Mencuccini-Silvestrini, Fisica, Elettromagnetismo e Ottica (Ed. Ambrosiana)
D. J. Griffiths, Introduction to Electrodynamics (Cambridge, fourth edition)
Prerequisites
It is requested an advances knowledge of Calculus, Geometry, Vector calculus; Mechanics and Thermodynamics;
Books
Adopted text
Mencuccini-Silvestrini, Fisica, Elettromagnetismo e Ottica (Ed. Ambrosiana)
Teaching mode
In order to ensure coherence with the expected learning outcomes, the course follows the following format: - theory lectures, covering about two-thirds of the course, in which all the topics of the program are exposed in detail; - practice lectures, covering about one-third of the course, in which the main techniques for solving exam problems are presented; - classroom exhibition, for a total of about 4 hours, in which experiments of electrostatics and electromagnetism are illustrated to the students.
Frequency
The lecture format is through blackboard. Set of exercises will be assigned periodically as homework and corrected during the lectures.
Exam mode
During the year and at the end of the class, based on written and oral exams.
Passing the written test is compulsory to access to the oral test.
In particular during the year:
- there will be two exoneration tests in April and June, to cover the written part:
* to pass each exoneration test an evaluation of at least 15/30 is required;
* to globally pass the exoneration tests, the average score must be at least 18/30. The exoneration remains valid for the year, until February.
* one of the exoneration test can be recovered during written tests, by solving just a part of the test.
During other exams periods:
- there will be a written test, considered passed with a score of at least 15/30, and remains valid for the year, until February.
- the written test can be substituted with two exoneration tests, with a global average score of at least 18/30;
- completing a written test cancels exoneration results, unless the student clearly withdraws the test writing an "R" on the first page.
The written test consists in solving problems on topics covered during lectures.
The proposed problems are not a repetition of those solved in class; they present original aspects, to which the student can answer using the knowledge acquired during the course, and from the textbook.
During the oral test the committee asks the student to discuss a few topics covered in class.
To pass the exam it is necessary:
- to demonstrate knowledge of the topics covered in class;
- to use the proper mathematical formalism.
In particular, to pass with a minimum grade, it is essential to know:
- electromagnetic forces;
- simple configurations of electric and magnetic fields;
- conductive materials and their properties;
- Maxwell's equations and their derivation, both in vacuum and in media;
- the equations and properties of electromagnetic waves;
- energy conservation in the presence of electric and magnetic fields.
To pass the exam with a high grade, the student must also:
- discuss with autonomy and clear language the asked topics, among all those presented in class;
- make connections between different topics, thus demonstrating a global view of the subject;
- answer questions that require simple original reasoning, with respect to what was presented in class.
Bibliography
Other references:
- D. J. Griffiths, Introduction to Electrodynamics (Cambridge, fourth edition)
- Mazzoldi, Nigro, Voci: Fisica Vol. II, Elettromagnetismo - Onde (Ed. Edises)
- Amaldi, Bizzarri, Pizzella: Fisica Generale, Elettromagnetismo, Relatività e Ottica (Ed. Zanichelli)
Further reading:
- J.D. Jackson: Elettrodinamica Classica (Ed. Zanichelli)
- R. Feynman: The Feynman Lectures, Vol. II, Parti I e II (Ed. Addison Wesley)
Exercises
- exercises on the book Mencuccini-Silvestrini e su Mazzoldi, Nigro, Voci
- exercises provided by the teacher (see the moodle) and written exams of previous years
- Mazzoldi, Nigro, Voci: Problemi di Fisica Generale: elettromagnetismo e ottica (Ed. Libreria Cortina)
- Mencuccini, Silvestrini: Esercizi di Fisica, elettromagnetismo e ottica (Ed. Ambrosiana)
Lesson mode
In order to ensure coherence with the expected learning outcomes, the course follows the following format: - theory lectures, covering about two-thirds of the course, in which all the topics of the program are exposed in detail; - practice lectures, covering about one-third of the course, in which the main techniques for solving exam problems are presented; - classroom exhibition, for a total of about 4 hours, in which experiments of electrostatics and electromagnetism are illustrated to the students.