Corso di laurea in Fisica

Understanding of the fundamental concepts of the Classical Theory of Electromagnetism and of its main applications. Capability to analyze, modelize and describe electromagnetic phenomena and to solve numerical problems of medium-level complexity. Understanding the basics of Special Relativity, learning how to apply it in the realm of kinematics and electromagnetism. 

Knowledge and understanding

Knowledge on the main theoretical and applied concepts of the Classical Theory of Electromagnetism, studying in detail the concepts of electromagnetic wave propagation, and of the theory of Special Relativity. 

Applying knowledge and understanding

Capability to sketch out and to solve problems of medium-level complexity in the field of general electromagnetism,  optics and Special Relativity, commenting the results.

Differential form of Maxwell equations, potentials, gauge invariance.  Green functions. Emission and absorption of EM waves. Antennas. Collision of waves onto charges. The speed of light is a constant. Lorents transformations. Basics of tensor formalism, relativistic kinematics and dynamics. Relativistic description of Maxwell theory; some applications. 

The course is composed of 48 hours of lectures for the first module, and 40 hours of lectures for the second.

The course is distributed in attendance.

The teaching material will be published on Moodle (https://elearning.unito.it/scienzedellanatura/course/) and/or on the Campusnet web page of the course.

• Communication with students takes place through e-mail and requires registration on the Campusnet web page of the teaching course.

WebEx :

• M.Pia Bussa   - https://unito.webex.com/meet/mariapia.bussa
• M. Destefanis - https://unito.webex.com/meet/marcogiovannimaria.destefanis

The written exam tests the capability to understand the text, to schematize the presented circumstance and to develop in a complete and exhaustive way the solution to the problem in agreement with the basic physical principles learnt during the lessons. The oral exam tests the achieved capability to modelize and describe a phenomenon basing on the fundamental physical principles presented during the course.

Written exam: solution to three electromagnetism problems and one of relativity similar to what has been done during the classes. The students who achieved the pass mark on both modules during the Written exam are allowed to attend the Oral exam. It is allowed to use a personal formulary and the calculator. It is forbidden the use of mobile phones. Oral Exam: discussion about the written exam and about at least two topics presented during the classes. In the first examination period the students who have passed the written exam on the first examination call are allowed to attend the oral exam even on the second examination call.

Unfortunately the main textbook are presented in the Italian edition:

Mazzoldi, Nigro, Voci: FISICA, EdiSES, to be referred to for lectures and practice exercises (Reference textbook for the examination programme where non attending students can study).

Mencuccini, Silvestrini: FISICA II, Liguori, to be referred to for lectures and practice exercises. 

The following references are in English:

Alonso Finn: Funamental University Physics, to be referred to for lectures and practice exercises.

Classical Electromagnetism, notes by  Richard Fitzpatrick avaliable on the net.