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Course Details

Course Department: Department of Physics
Course Code: PHY 132
Course Title: Gen. PhysicsII:Electricity,Electromagnetism Optics
Number of ECTS: 6
Level of Course: 1st Cycle (Bachelor's Degree) 
Year of Study (if applicable): 1 
Semester/Trimester when the Course Unit is Delivered: Spring Semester 
Name of Lecturer(s):
Constantinos Christofides, Theodosis Trypiniotis
 
Lectures/Week: 2 (1.5 hours per lecture) 
Laboratories/week: -- 
Tutorials/Week: 1 (1 hours per lecture) 
Course Purpose and Objectives:
Introduction to Electricity, Magnetism and Optics.
 
Learning Outcomes:
The students should:

  • Know and apply Coulomb’s law.
  • Understand the definition of electric field.
  • Calculate the electric field of discrete and continuous charge distributions.
  • Compute the electric field of an electric dipole and the torque on an electric dipole inside a homogeneous electric field.
  • Apply Gauss’ law.
  • Explain the charging and polarization of insulators and conductors.
  • Understand the meaning of electric potential energy and electric potential.
  • Relate the potential energy difference with the work of an external electric force.
  • Compute the electric potential of discrete and continuous charge distributions (simple geometries).
  • Derive a microscopic model of current.
  • Define a capacitor and the concept of capacitance.
  • Compute the capacitance of capacitors in series, in parallel and in complex circuits.
  • Understand the meaning of resistance.
  • State and employ Ohm’s law.
  • Compute the current in simple circuits and in the RC circuit.
  • Know the relation for the magnetic force on a moving charge and a current-carrying wire.
  • Define the magnetic dipole moment and compute the torque on a current- carrying closed loop in a magnetic field.
  • Describe the motion of a moving charge in a uniform magnetic field.
  • Analyze the Hall effect.
  • Apply the laws of Biot-Savart and Ampere to compute the magnetic field due to charge-carrying conductors in simple geometries.
  • Define the magnetic flux and apply Gauss law in magnetism.
  • Understand the meaning of displacement current and state the generalized form of Ampere’s law.
  • State Faraday’s law of induction.
  • Understand that an EMF is induced in a conductor that moves in a magnetic field.
  • Know that the electric field due to a changing magnetic flux is not conservative.
  • Explain the operation of generators and motors.
  • Summarize the equations of Maxwell.
  • Know the nature and characteristics of electromagnetic waves.
  • Understand the concept of self-induction and mutual induction.
  • Analyze RL and RLC circuits.
  • Know the basic concepts of geometric optics.
  • Understand the basic concepts of interference.
  • Describe the Michelson experiment and understand its importance.
  • Calculate the intensity at various points in an interference pattern.
  • Understand the interference from of thin films and how interference is used to measure extremely small distances.
  • Explain the phenomenon of diffraction and calculate the intensity of at various points in a single-slit diffraction pattern.
  • Understand diffraction gratings and how they are used to measure the wavelength of light.
  • Explain how diffraction sets limits on the smallest details that can be seen with optical instruments.
 
Prerequisites: Not Applicable 
Co-requisites: Not Applicable 
Course Content:
The meaning of electric charge. Coulomb’s law. Definition of the electric field. Computation of the electric field of discrete and continuous charge distributions. The meaning of dipole moment. Electric field of a dipole. Torque of an electric dipole in an external electric field. Gauss’ law. Electric Fields and Matter. Charging and polarization of insulators and conductors. Electric potential energy and electrostatic potential. Electrostatic potential difference. The meaning of capacitance. Computation of equivalent capacitance for capacitors in serial, parallel or composite connectivities. Energy stored in a charged capacitor. Capacitors with dielectrics. Electric field and current in a conductor. Microscopic model of current. The meaning of Resistance. Ohm’s law. Simple circuits. Kirchhoff’s rules. The RC circuit.

The magnetic field. Detection of magnetic fields. Magnetic force on a moving charge and a current-carrying wire. Magnetic dipole moment. Torque on a current loop in a uniform magnetic field. Motion of a charge particle in a uniform magnetic field. Τhe Hall effect. Biot-Savart Law. Ampere’s law. The magnetic field of simple current distributions. Magnetic flux and Gauss’ law in Magnetism. Displacement current and the general form of Ampere’s law. The law of Faraday and motional EMF. Induced EMF and electric fields. Generators and motors. Maxwell’s equations. Electromagnetic waves. Self- induction and mutual induction. The LC and RLC circuit. Geometrical optics, Huygen's and Fermat's principle, Optical instruments, Interference, Young's experiment, Michelson’s interferometer, Michelson’s and Morley's experiment, Multiple-beam interference, Rayleigh's resolution criterion, Fraunhofer diffraction, Diffraction grating, Bragg's law, Polarization, Malus' law, Brewster's law, Double refraction, Production of circular polarized light.
 
Teaching Methodology:
There are four lecture hours/week. A typical lecture starts by a short discussion and review of previously covered material. Students are engaged in the discussions via suitable questions. We then proceed to discuss new material. When a new concept is introduced, the students are asked to perform a short related calculation or answer a related question that tests their understanding. We then solve representative exercises. Active student participation is encouraged with questions.

A concise summary of the lecture material, along with illustrative figures is contained in Powerpoint presentations.

In the tutorial hour we discuss problems and applications, go over the solutions of assignments and answer student questions.

The students are given 6-8 home assignments that they have to complete in a course of 7-10 days each. Student collaboration is permitted, but the preparation of individual reports is very strongly encouraged.
 
Bibliography:
  • Halliday, Resnick, Walker. Physics (translated in Greek).
  • Young, Freedman. University Physics (translated in Greek).
  • E.R. Huggins, Physics 2000: Geometrical Optics, Dartmouth College.
  • Eugene Hecht, Optics, 4th Edition, Addison-Wesley, 2001.
 
Assessment:
  • Midterm exams (2 x 20%)
  • Final exam (60%)
 
Language of Instruction: Greek
Part of the bibliography is in English.
Delivery Mode: Face-To-Face 
Work Placement(s): Not Applicable