PX0202: Electricity, Magnetism and Light

School Cardiff School of Physics & Astronomy
Department Code PHYSX
Module Code PX0202
External Subject Code 100425
Number of Credits 10
Level L3
Language of Delivery English
Module Leader Dr Elisabetta Valiante
Semester Spring Semester
Academic Year 2013/4

Outline Description of Module

To provide an introduction to the fundamentals of electrostatics, current electricity and basic electrical circuit theory.

To describe magnetism and its relationship with electrical current and changing electrical fields.

To provide an appreciation of the breadth of the electromagnetic spectrum and to understand the basic properties of light.

To develop experimental physics methodology.

On completion of the module a student should be able to

Recall the definitions of Coulomb’s law, electric field strength and electric potential and describe the relationships between these quantities and use them for calculations on systems of point charges.

Define what is meant by electrical current, emf, potential difference and resistance, and use these quantities for simple circuit analysis.

Describe intrinsic and extrinsic semiconductors, electron and hole transport and basic band theory, and use these concepts to explain the operation of simple semiconducting devices.

Describe the magnetic fields associated with current-carrying conductors and use these concepts to define the Ampere.

Recall Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws of electromagnetic induction and use these concepts to describe the generation of a.c. electricity.

Discuss the principal regions of the electromagnetic spectrum and use the wave properties of light to describe diffraction and interference.

Make, record and interpret measurements made in laboratory practicals. Present these findings in written, scientific format.

How the module will be delivered

Teaching and feedback methods: Lectures 11 x 1 hr, Laboratory 3 hrs per week, marked

Skills that will be practised and developed

Experimental physics. Communications skills. Personal skills. Problem solving. Investigative skills.

Mathematics. Analytical skills. Ethical behaviour.

How the module will be assessed

Assessment: Examination 60%. Assignments 10%. Lab 30%. [Examination duration: 1 hour]

Assessment Breakdown

Type % Title Duration(hrs)
Exam - Spring Semester 60 Electricity, Magnetism & Light 1
Written Assessment 40 Coursework N/A

Syllabus content

Electrostatics: Coulomb’s law; electric fields. Electric potential. Insulators and conductors.

Current Electricity: Current and charge; drift velocity; resistivity; superconductivity; Ohm’s law; emf and internal resistance; electrical power.

Electronics: Resistors and capacitors in series and parallel; permittivity; semiconductors (intrinsic and extrinsic); electron and hole transport; p-n junction; the junction diode.

Magnetism: Permanent magnets; magnetic flux lines due to a current-carrying conductor; corkscrew rule; force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field; Fleming’s left-hand rule; force between two current-carrying conductors; definition of the Ampere.

Electromagnetism: Force on an electron in a magnetic filed; electromagnetic induction (Faraday’s law);

Lenz’s law; electrical generators; transformers; a.c. currents.

Light: The speed of light, wavelength and frequency; the electromagnetic spectrum; properties of light (reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference).

Essential Reading and Resource List

Advanced Physics, T Duncan, 4th Edition (John Murray).

University Physics (with Modern Physics), H D Young and R A Freedman, 12th Edition (Addison Wesley).

Laboratory manual.


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