Radiation Fields and Photons

Electromagnetism (BSPH1003(Avautuu uuteen välilehteen)), Calculus Ia (BSMA1002), Calculus Ib (BSMA1003), and Linear algebra and complex numbers (BSMA1001).

The student understands and is able to analyze phenomena related to time-dependent electric and magnetic fields using Maxwell's equations. The student understands how electromagnetic radiation is generated by charges and model propagating electromagnetic waves within media, on interfaces, and diffraction phenomena. The student is familiar with Maxwell equations and their physical interpretation in the integral form. The student is aware of the differential form and is able to use the nabla-operator. The student can describe propagating or standing electromagnetic waves in the complex exponential or real trigonometric forms. The student is able to apply their knowledge of wave phenomena to matter-waves. The student is familiar with the particle nature of light as manifested in the photoelectric effect and Compton scattering.

Course follows Chabay and Sherwood: Matter & Interactions, chapters 23-25. Additional or alternative books:

• Knight: Physics for scientists and engineers, a strategic approach
• Giancoli: Physics for scientists & engineers
• Young & Freedman: University physics

Completion methods

The course is completed via weekly graded exercises and a final exam or alternatively taking the departmental exam.

Assessment practices and criteria

Grading scale is 0 (failed) - 1 (passed) - 5 (excellent)

Activities and methods in support of learning

Weekly lectures, independent work by the student, weekly exercise sessions, which are partly done in calculation workshops in small groups, and partly independently.

The exercise sessions are returned to the assistants, who score them. The total workload for the course is 135 hours.

Target groups

Programme: Bachelor's programme in Science.

Module: Basics studies in Physics

The course is optional within the programme, but compulsory within the Physics study track.

The course is available to the students of other programmes and at Open University upon agreement with the teacher.

Schedule

Course is offered every year in period 2.

Recommended time or stage of studies for completion

Course is recommended for second year students of the Bachelor's programme in Science in the Physics study track.

The parallel completion of the Introductory Physics Laboratory Exercises is highly recommended.

Study module

Basics studies in Physics

Language of instruction

English