Basic Course in Electricity and Magnetism, Optics, and Modern Physics

Undergraduate course

Course description

Objectives and Content

Objectives:

The course is tailored to the needs of students in other fields of science than physics, mathematics or geophysiscs. The course gives an overview and understanding of basic physics, with morderate use of mathematical formalism.

Content:

The course gives a quick introduction to electromagnetism, optics and modern physics: electric charge and electric field, current, voltage and resistance, magnetic field, electromagnetic waves, the nature of light and optical instrumentation, atom, nucleus and elementary particles, radioactivity and radiation.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the course the student should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

 

Knowledge

The student has acquired knowledge of

  • Electromagnetism (electric and magnetic force and field, circuits, induction) and electromagnetic waves.
  • Light (reflection, refraction, interference), the wave nature of light and the particle-wave duality.
  • The atom, the atomic core, nuclear power, ionizing radiation and radioactivity.

 

Skills

The student can solve problems with moderate mathematical complexity related to

  • Electric and magnetic force and field, electric charge, electric potential, current, voltage and resistance, capacitors, electromagnetic waves, reflection, refraction, interference and diffraction.
  • Time dilatation, length contraction, relativistic momentum and addition of velocity.
  • Photo-electric effect, Compton effect, de Broglie wavelength, models of the Hydrogen atom and electron configurations, the atomic core, binding energy and decay, ionizing radiation, fission and fusion.
  • Application of Gauss law, Kirchhoffs laws, Faradays law, Lenz law, Malus law, Snells law and Hubble's law.

 

General competence

  • Increased ability for reflection and insight in how physics connects cause and effect for simple processes in nature
  • Knowledge of value for other fields of the natural sciences
  • Training in systematic work and how to analyse complex problems

ECTS Credits

10 stp

Level of Study

Undergraduate course

Semester of Instruction

Spring
Required Previous Knowledge
None
Recommended Previous Knowledge
Credit Reduction due to Course Overlap

PHYS112: 5 SP

PHYS118: 5 SP

Compulsory Assignments and Attendance

Compulsory attendance for selected activities. These activities will be specified when the semester starts. 

The student must submit 5-10 compulsory homeworks.

The student must submit 5-10 online quizzes.

Compulsory homeworks and quizzes are valid in the semester the course is taught (1. semester).

Forms of Assessment
In this course one utilizes portfoli assessment.
Grading Scale
Passed/fail
Examination Support Material
None