Applied Electromagnetism

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The interaction of electric and magnetic fields with matter
• The principles of electromagnetic radiation, propagation of electromagnetic waves in vacuum and in media
• Mathematical descriptions of electromagnetism and vector calculus in the electromagnetic field context
• Basic concepts of electromagnetic theory, including fundamental laws of electrodynamics.

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Calculate electric and magnetic fields generated by charges and currents, compute energy and forces associated with electromagnetic fields
• Derive equivalent circuits for electric and magnetic systems
• Understand the fundamentals underpinning the selection of components and materials for electromagnetic systems.

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Explain the operation of simple electromagnetic devices
• Apply mathematical methods and vector algebra to practical problems
• Propose appropriate approaches and solutions for electromagnetic systems in different frequency ranges.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Develop complex mathematical models for the description of physical phenomena.

Electrostatics

• Gauss' Law and Electric Flux: Surface Integral, Dot Product
• Electric Potential (scalar): Line integral
• Polarisation – Relative Permittivity
• Electroquasistatics – Resistance, Steady currents
• Space charge and surface charges at interfaces

Magnetostatics

• Ampere’s Law, calculation of magnetic fields through line integral formulation
• Biot Savart Law & Force between wires
• Ferromagnetic materials. Magnetisation field. Gauss law for magnetic flux density.
• Magneto Motive Force, Magnetic circuits and Reluctance
• Magnetic Flux and Inductance
• Torque on a loop – principle of electric motor

Elements of Electrodynamics

• Faradays Law – magnetic field leads to electric field, Electro Motive Force
• Maxwell eqs. and Displacement Current, Skin Effect

Electromagnetism

• Energy and Power
• Power flow in electromagnetic systems – Poynting vector
• Forces from energy principles and Maxwell Stress Tensor (magnetic and electric systems)

Electromagnetic Waves

• Plane waves in free space (the equation, its derivation, and its properties)
• Different forms of waves (guided, surface, and those in transmission lines)

The content of this module is delivered through lectures, module website, directed reading and tutorials.

Students work on their understanding through a combination of independent study, preparation for timetabled activities and discussion tutorials along with formative assessments in the form of coursework assignments and problem sheets.

Students work on their practical skills through problem solving and laboratories.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat

An internal repeat is where you take all of your modules again, including any you passed. An external repeat is where you only re-take the modules you failed.