Electrodynamics II
- Sciences
- 400 level
- 2 credit units
- 59 pages
- 10 units
This course delves into the advanced principles of electrodynamics, focusing on the behavior of electromagnetic waves in various media. It covers topics such as wave propagation in isotropic media, reflection and refraction phenomena, and the behavior of electromagnetic fields at boundaries. Students will also explore transmission lines, waveguides, resonant circuits, and radiation from oscillating dipoles and moving charges. The course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of electrodynamic phenomena and their applications.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Advanced
- Study hours
- 208 hours
- Maths
- Advanced
- Content
- Theoretical, problem solving
- Practical work
- No
- PHY301: Electromagnetism I
- MAT202: Advanced Calculus
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- Final examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of PHY403, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
PHY403 · UNIT 1 PLANE WAVES IN ISOTROPIC MEDIA
In this module we will look at maxwell’s equations in free space and in material medium,wave equations of electric and magnetic field. We will also consider reflection and refraction of electromagnetic waves.
What you should be able to do
- Understand the behavior of electromagnetic waves in different media.
- Apply boundary conditions to solve problems involving reflection and refraction.
- Analyze the characteristics of transmission lines and waveguides.
- Explain the principles of resonant circuits and their applications.
- Describe the mechanisms of electromagnetic radiation from various sources.
- Derive mathematical expressions for electromagnetic fields in different scenarios.
What it prepares you for
- Telecommunications Engineer
- Microwave Engineer
- Antenna Designer
- Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Engineer
- Telecommunications
- Aerospace
- Defense
- Medical Imaging
- Wireless Communication
- MATLAB
- HFSS (High-Frequency Structure Simulator)
- CST Studio Suite
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 4: Waveguides
Unit 2: Waveguide
Understanding the different modes of propagation (TE and TM) requires a strong grasp of vector calculus and electromagnetic field theory.
- Module 5: Resonant Circuit, Radiation from an Oscillating Dipole and Radiation from Moving Charges
Unit 2: Radiation from an Oscillating Dipole
Deriving the electric and magnetic field components of a radiating dipole involves complex mathematical formulations and a deep understanding of electromagnetic radiation principles.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 103 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1: Propagation of Plane Wave in Unbounded Isotropic Media
Unit 1: Plane Waves in Isotropic Media · 8 hours
Define plane polarized wave and isotropic media.. Express a plane wave mathematically.. Explain the origin of electromagnetic waves..
Unit 2: Propagation of Electromagnetic Wave in an Isotropic Medium · 7 hours
Derive wave equations for electric and magnetic fields in an isotropic insulating medium.. Derive wave equations for electric and magnetic fields in a conducting medium..
- Week 2Module 2: Reflection and Refraction of Electromagnetic Waves
Unit 1: Boundary Conditions On Electric and Magnetic Fields · 7 hours
State the boundary conditions on electric field (E), magnetic intensity (H), electric displacement (D), and magnetic field (B).. Derive the boundary conditions for E, H, D, and B..
- Week 3Module 2: Reflection and Refraction of Electromagnetic Waves
Unit 2: Reflection and Refraction (Transmission)Coefficients of Electromagnetic Waves · 8 hours
Define reflection coefficient (R) and transmission coefficient (T).. Obtain expressions for R and T in terms of the Poynting vector.. Calculate percentages of R and T for a medium relative to free space given its refractive index..
- Week 4Module 3: Transmission Lines
Unit 1: Transmission Lines · 8 hours
Sketch a transmission line in cascade.. Derive the wave equations of voltages and currents of a transmission line..
- Week 5Module 4: Waveguides
Unit 1: A Pair of Parallel Conducting Planes · 8 hours
Obtain the equation relating the wave number and the guide wave number.. Determine cut-off frequencies of a pair of parallel conducting planes.. Obtain the expressions of electric and magnetic field components of TE waves..
- Week 6Module 4: Waveguides
Unit 2: Waveguide · 8 hours
Determine guide wavelength.. Obtain the equation relating wave number and the guide wave number.. Determine the expressions for the electric and magnetic fields..
- Week 7Module 5: Resonant Circuit, Radiation from an Oscillating Dipole and Radiation from Moving Charges
Unit 1: Resonant Circuit · 7 hours
Define resonance and explain the phenomenon.. Write the simple differential equation of a resonant circuit.. Calculate the impedance of an RLC circuit..
- Week 8Module 5: Resonant Circuit, Radiation from an Oscillating Dipole and Radiation from Moving Charges
Unit 2: Radiation from an Oscillating Dipole · 8 hours
Understand that oscillating dipoles are aerials (antennas).. Describe how radiations emanate from oscillating dipoles.. Derive the electric field and magnetic field components of a dipole..
- Week 9Module 5: Resonant Circuit, Radiation from an Oscillating Dipole and Radiation from Moving Charges
Unit 3: Radiation from Moving Charges · 8 hours
Explain how radiations are generated by moving charges.. Derive the electric and magnetic field components of a resonant cavity, a device used in the oscillation of charges..
- Week 10Module 1: Propagation of Plane Wave in Unbounded Isotropic Media
Unit 1: Review of Propagation of Plane Wave in Unbounded Isotropic Media · 6 hours
Review Module 1 and solve related problems.. Complete assignments related to Module 1..
- Week 11Module 2: Reflection and Refraction of Electromagnetic Waves
Unit 1: Review of Reflection and Refraction of Electromagnetic Waves · 6 hours
Review Module 2 and solve related problems.. Complete assignments related to Module 2..
- Week 12Modules 3 & 4
Unit 1: Review of Transmission Lines and Waveguides · 7 hours
Review Modules 3 and 4 and solve related problems.. Complete assignments related to Modules 3 and 4..
- Week 13Module 5: Resonant Circuit, Radiation from an Oscillating Dipole and Radiation from Moving Charges
Unit 1: Review of Resonant Circuit, Radiation from an Oscillating Dipole and Radiation from Moving Charges · 7 hours
Review Module 5 and solve related problems.. Complete assignments related to Module 5..
Preparing for the exam
- Review Maxwell's equations and their applications in different media (Units 1-2).
- Practice solving problems involving reflection and refraction at boundaries (Module 2).
- Focus on understanding the concepts of characteristic impedance and wave propagation in transmission lines and waveguides (Modules 3-4).
- Derive and memorize key formulas for resonant frequency, quality factor, and radiation power (Module 5).
- Create concept maps linking the different types of electromagnetic radiation sources and their applications (Units 10-12).
- Work through all the tutor-marked assignments (TMAs) and identify areas where you need further clarification.
- Simulate electromagnetic phenomena using software tools like MATLAB or HFSS to gain a practical understanding of the concepts.
Questions students ask about this course
What is PHY403 about?
This course delves into the advanced principles of electrodynamics, focusing on the behavior of electromagnetic waves in various media. It covers topics such as wave propagation in isotropic media, reflection and refraction phenomena, and the behavior of electromagnetic fields at boundaries. Students will also explore transmission lines, waveguides, resonant circuits, and radiation from oscillating dipoles and moving charges. The course aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of electrodynamic phenomena and their applications.
How many units does PHY403 have?
PHY403, Electrodynamics II, has 10 units across 5 modules, over 59 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is PHY403?
PHY403 carries 2 credit units, at 400 level in Sciences.
Is PHY403 hard?
PHY403 is rated advanced level, with advanced mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and problem solving work.
How long does PHY403 take to study?
About 208 hours of study, spread across its 10 units.
How is PHY403 assessed?
PHY403 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and final examination.
What do I need before starting PHY403?
PHY301: Electromagnetism I MAT202: Advanced Calculus
What can I do with PHY403?
Telecommunications Engineer, Microwave Engineer, Antenna Designer and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Engineer.