Aims

To enhance the students' knowledge of electromagnetic fields and wave behaviour and how this can be used to describe quasistatic fields and waves.

Outline Of Syllabus

Introduction to vector calculus:
Basic vector algebra, definitions of Curl, Div and Grad, scalar and vector fields, nabla operator, gradient and gradient theorem, divergence and divergence theorem, curl and Stoke’s theorem.


Maxwell Equations – quasistatic fields

Review quasi-static fields, Laplace and Poisson equations, continuity equation, derivation of Maxwell’s equations for static fields. A full physical description of the significance of Maxwell’s equations considering static fields (Electrostatics and Magnetostatics).


Time harmonic fields

Boundary conditions, phasor representation, Maxwell equations phasor representation.


Maxwell Equations – time varying (Electromagnetic wave propagation)

Derivation of Maxwell equations for time varying fields. Derivation and understanding of the wave equation, plane wave concepts, wavelength, attenuation and phase constants, propagation of waves in lossless and lossy media, polarisation, wave power (Poynting vector), interaction with dielectric and conducting media. Wave transmission, reflection, and refraction.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Lectures are used for the delivery of theory and explanation of methods, illustrated with examples, and for giving general feedback on marked work. Lectures include problem-solving time to allow practice of applying knowledge and skills from the lectures to problem-solving on more substantial problems.

The teaching methods are appropriate to allow students to develop a wide range of skills, from understanding basic concepts and facts to higher-order thinking.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

A substantial formal unseen examination is appropriate for the assessment of the material in this module. The format of the examination will enable students to reliably demonstrate their own knowledge, understanding and application of learning outcomes. The assurance of academic integrity forms a necessary part of accreditation programme.

Examination problems may require a synthesis of concepts and strategies from different sections, while they may have more than one ways for solution. The examination time allows the students to test different strategies, work out examples and gather evidence for deciding on an effective strategy, while carefully articulating their ideas and explicitly citing the theory they are using.

The coursework assignments allow the students to develop their problem-solving techniques, to practice the methods learnt in the module, to assess their progress and to receive feedback; these assessments have a secondary formative purpose as well as their primary summative purpose.