Spring 2021

The Maxwellian Synthesis: Dynamics of Charges and Fields

Listed in: Physics and Astronomy, as PHYS-124

Formerly listed as: PHYS-24

Faculty

David Hanneke (Section 01)
William A. Loinaz (Section 01)

Description

In the mid-nineteenth century, completing nearly a century of work by others, Maxwell developed an elegant set of equations describing the dynamical behavior of electromagnetic fields. A remarkable consequence of Maxwell’s equations is that the wave theory of light is subsumed under electrodynamics. Moreover, we know from subsequent developments that the electromagnetic interaction largely determines the structure and properties of ordinary matter. This course will begin with Coulomb’s Law but will quickly introduce the concept of the electric field. Students will explore moving charges and their connection with the magnetic field, study currents and electrical circuits, and discuss Faraday’s introduction of the dynamics of the magnetic field and Maxwell’s generalization. Laboratory exercises will concentrate on circuits and electronic measuring instruments. Four hours of lecture and discussion and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Course meetings will be synchronous to the extent possible. Depending on the distribution of student locations, the meetings may be entirely online or a hybrid of online and in-person. The meeting times are subject to change, based on student time zones and availability. Students will receive a kit that allows completion of the labs.

Requisite: MATH 121 and PHYS 116 or 123. Limited to 24 students. Spring semester. The Department. 

PHYS 124 - LEC

Section 01
M 08:50 AM - 09:40 AM SCCE A011
W 08:50 AM - 09:40 AM SCCE A011
F 08:50 AM - 09:40 AM SCCE A011

PHYS 124F - DIS

Section 01
Tu 01:30 PM - 02:20 PM SCCE A011

Section 02
Tu 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM SCCE A011

PHYS 124L - LAB

Section 01
W 02:10 PM - 05:10 PM SCCE A101

Offerings

2024-25: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022