Course Catalogue

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This course describes the fundamental physical principles involved in Electromagnetics (including electrostatics, magnetism, electromagnetic induction and an introduction to Maxwell's equations) , Special Theory of Relativity (including relativistic space-time, velocity transformation and relativistic dynamics) and an introduction to Quantum Physics (including the photoelectric effect, Bohr model, wave particle duality, Schrödinger equation and atomic spectra).

Course will be delivered continuously in the traditional manner at UESTC.

Mandatory Entry Requirements

None

Recommended Entry Requirements

None

None

None

Assessment

25% homework coursework, 75% closed-book final exam (2 hours)

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Due to the nature of the coursework and sequencing of courses, it is not possible to reassess the coursework 

The initial grade on coursework will be used when calculating the resit grade.

This course aims to introduce the fundamental physical principles involved in Electromagnetics (including electrostatics, magnetism, electromagnetic induction and an introduction to Maxwell's equations) , Special Theory of Relativity and an introduction to Quantum Physics, then develop in students a solid foundation and the ability of problem solving in these areas.

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Define the concepts of electric fields, electric flux, electric potential and electric current. Apply the principles of electrostatics to solve problems in physical systems including conductors, dielectrics and capacitors in electrostatic equilibrium, calculate the capacitances and stored energies.

■ Apply Biot-Savart Law, Ampère's circuital theorem to calculate magnetic fields, magnetic forces and magnetic torque. Realize the similarity and difference between electric and magnetic rules.

■ Use Faraday's Law to solve electromagnetic induction, understand the concept of induced electric field and displacement current. State Maxwell's equations and describe the basic properties of electromagnetic waves. Compare and evaluate different types of electric devices.

■ Describe fundamental results arising from special theory of relativity, including time dilation, length contraction, relativistic mass, kinetic energy and relativistic momentum-energy transformation. Understand and evaluate the application of nuclear energy.

■ Comprehend important concepts in quantum physics, explain typical experimental results, analyse and calculate quantum systems by using wave-particle duality, Heisenberg uncertainty principle, Schrödinger equation, the rules of quantum numbers and atomic spectra.

Students must attend the degree examination and submit at least 75% by weight of the other components of the course's summative assessment.