FISICA II

Upon successful completion of the course, the student must be able to independently solve a wide range of problems related to electromagnetism and optics, and must have learned and internalized the conceptual foundations and key experimental results associated with the historical development of electromagnetism.
In particular, the student's preparation must ensure:
- the ability to fully (or at least partially) solve some of the exercises proposed in the written exam,
- knowledge of the following topics and their associated practical applications:
Mechanical waves, wave equation, string with fixed ends – concept of electric field and its conservative nature – Gauss's theorem in integral form and its applications – definition of potential difference and its application to a uniform electric field – definition of capacitance and calculation of capacitance for parallel-plate and spherical capacitors – Ohm's laws – Joule's law – series and parallel connections – Kirchhoff's laws and their use in solving circuits – discharge of an RC circuit – Lorentz force – Biot-Savart law – Ampère's law in integral form – magnetic field of an infinite wire and an ideal solenoid – Faraday's law in integral form – alternating current generator – concept of self-inductance – calculation of self-inductance for an ideal solenoid – displacement current and Maxwell's fourth equation in integral form – definition of the Poynting vector and intensity of an electromagnetic wave – speed of light – Snell's laws – image formation with spherical mirrors and thin lenses.

Successful completion of the Physics I exam is required. It is also strongly recommended to have a thorough knowledge of Mathematical Analysis I and Linear Algebra and Geometry.

Electrostatics

Introduction to and review of vector calculus. Vector operators. Electric charge: properties. Conductors and insulators. Coulomb's law. Electric field of a point charge. Electric field of charge distributions. Electric flux and Gauss's law. Conductors in electrostatic equilibrium. Electric potential and potential energy. Potential and potential energy of discrete and continuous charge distributions. Charged conductors: field and potential. Capacitors. Electric field energy and energy density. Dielectrics. Polarization of dielectrics. Capacitors with dielectrics.

Electric Current

Current intensity and current density. Classical model of conduction. Resistance and Ohm's law. Resistance, resistivity, and temperature dependence. Electric energy and power. Electromotive force. Kirchhoff's laws. RC circuit.

Magnetism

Magnetic field lines. Lorentz force. Motion of charged particles in a magnetic field. Cyclotron. Forces on current-carrying conductors. Torque on planar circuits. Magnetic field generated by steady currents. Ampère's law. Gauss's law for magnetism. Introduction to magnetic properties of matter.

Electromagnetic Induction

Induced electromotive force. Faraday's and Lenz's laws. Alternator. Self-induction and mutual induction. Magnetic field energy and energy density. Alternating current and series RLC circuits. Impedance. Power. Transformer.

Wave Phenomena

Review of mechanics; simple, damped, and driven harmonic oscillators. Description of a wave. Plane wave differential equation. Transverse and longitudinal waves. Mechanical waves. Acoustic waves. Acoustic wave intensity and noise pollution. Electromagnetic waves. Electromagnetic wave spectrum. Electromagnetic wave intensity. Overview of electromagnetic pollution issues.

Introduction to geometric optics

Speed ​​of light and measurement methods. Laws of reflection and refraction. Total internal reflection. Diffraction and interference of light waves.

Teoria: D. Halliday, R. Resnick, K.S. Krane, Fisica, vol II, IV edizione, CEA

 P. Mazzoldi, M. Nigro, C. Voci, Elementi di Fisica, vol. II, II Edizione, EdiSES        R. A. Serway, Fisica per Scienze ed Ingegneria, vol. II, II edizione, EdiSES

Esercizi:  Elettromagnetismo e Onde, Guida alla soluzione degli Esercizi da Mazzoldi,Nigro, Voci - Elementi di Fisica, G. Balestrino, P. G. Medaglia, S. Sanna, Edises

The exam consists of a written test followed by an oral exam. The written test (lasting 2 hours) involves solving four exercises, requiring clear justification and commentary. Students who pass the written test (minimum score: 18/30) are eligible to take the subsequent oral exam. The oral exam focuses on a review of the written test (if applicable) and, above all, on the topics covered in the syllabus.
Written exam: 40% of the final grade. Oral exam: 60% of the final grade.

Information for students with disabilities and/or specific learning disorders (SLD)

To ensure equal opportunities and compliance with current regulations, interested students may request a personal meeting to arrange any necessary compensatory measures and/or dispensations, based on educational objectives and specific needs.

Students may also contact the Department’s designated representative for CInAP (Center for Active and Participatory Integration – Services for Disabilities and/or SLD).

Gauss's Law – examples of electrostatic effects due to the $1/r^2$ dependence of the field – capacitance of a conductor – examples of capacitance calculations – definition of electrostatic potential energy – curl and divergence theorems (without proof) – properties of differential operators – polarization mechanisms – dipoles in external fields – analogies between electric and magnetic dipoles – Ohm's laws – Kirchhoff's laws – RC circuits – Biot-Savart law – magnetic field calculations – Ampère's law – displacement current – ​​Faraday's law – self-induction and RL circuits – mutual induction – Poynting vector – radiation pressure – measurements of $c$ – Snell's laws – optical image construction for mirrors and lenses – interference phenomena from two sources – diffraction minima