Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism

Semester 2

This is a pre-calculus course covering fundamental topics in Electricity and Magnetism.

Syllabus:

1. Electric field and potential: Definition of point charge. Coulomb’s law; The electric field E; Force on a charge q in electric field E; Electric potential; Charge q traversing electric potential ∆V; Definition of the electron volt; Electric potential energy; Charge q in a conducting sphere; Resulting E and V; Capacitors: Q = CV; Capacitance of the parallel plate capacitor and the electric field between charged plates; Dielectrics; Energy stored in a charged capacitor and energy density in terms of E; Capacitors in series and parallel.
2. Ohm’s Law: Resistors in series and parallel; Emf, internal resistance and terminal potential difference of a battery; Kirchhoff’s laws and applications; Electric power for DC and AC voltages.
3. Magnetism: Force on current-carrying wire in a magnetic field; Definition of magnetic field B; Force due to B on charge q moving with velocity v; B due to a long straight current-carrying wire and a solenoid; Force between current-carrying conductors; Definition of the Coulomb and Ampere.
4. Electromagnetic Induction: Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction; Lenz’s law; Motional emf; The inductance L; Energy stored in an inductor and energy density in terms of B; Electric generators.
5. Logic Gates and their truth tables. P-type and n-type semiconductors; Diodes.

Undergrad/Postgrad:

Undergraduate

Evaluation:

Final Written Examination (2 hours) 60%
Course Work: 40%
- Laboratory Work 10%
- In-course Tests 15%
- Tutorial Tests 15%

Learning Objectives:

After completing this course, students should be able to:

Perform simple quantitative analyses of basic problems (with simple geometries) in electrostatics and electrodynamics.
Perform quantitative analyses of basic problems associated with the parallel plate capacitor. Determine the capacitance for a given geometry.
Explain the action and use of dielectric materials in capacitors.
Perform the reduction of simple capacitor networks using the concept of “the equivalent capacitor” for capacitors in series or in parallel.
Apply Ohm’s Law to solve simple electrical circuits.
Perform the reduction of simple resistor networks using the concept of “the equivalent resistor” for resistors in series or in parallel.
Use Kirchhoff’s laws to solve more complex electrical networks (with two or more Emf’s).
Determine the force due to a magnetic field (B) an a charge q moving with velocity v.
Determine the force between current-carrying conductors.
Apply Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction to solving practical problems in electricity and magnetism.
Perform and interpret the results of simple experiments and demonstrations of physical principles.