6 ECTS credits
180 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1010837BNR for all students in the 1st semester at a (B) Bachelor - advanced level.

Semester
1st semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Students must have followed ‘Mechanics’ and 'Waves and Electromagnetism', before they can enroll for ‘Electrodynamics and Special Relativity’.
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences
Department
Physics
Educational team
Ben Craps (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
26 contact hours Lecture
26 contact hours Seminar, Exercises or Practicals
Course Content

Based on (parts of) the book by David J. Griffiths mentioned below, which is used in class.

The course starts with a reminder of a number of concepts from vector analysis and an introduction to delta functions.

Then Laplace’s equation is discussed, in particular uniqueness theorems and solution methods (method of images, multipole expansion and separation of variables). Next, conservation equations in electrodynamics are treated. Further, the potential formulation of electrodynamics is covered, as well as expressions for potentials of continuous charge distributions and point charges. Electromagnetic radiation discussed as well, both dipole radiation and radiation by point charges.

The last part of the course deals with the theory of special relativity. Starting from Einstein’s postulates and their consequences, the concept of space-time is introduced. Relativistic mechanics and relativistic electrodynamics are treated as well.

Course material
Handbook (Required) : Introduction to Electrodynamics, David J. Griffiths, 4de, Cambridge University Press, 9781108420419, 2017
Additional info

Not applicable

Learning Outcomes

General competencies

The student can explain and derive important concepts and results in electrodynamics and in Einstein’s theory of special relativity.

He can apply the theory to new physical problems.

He is able to situate this theory within modern physics. For instance, he can explain that Newtonian intuition is not a good guide at velocities comparable to the speed of light, and can indicate that daily intuition will not work in other extreme circumstances either.

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Mondeling examen with a relative weight of 1 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

    Note: Oral exam with written preparation. Both theory and exercises are part of the exam. Some two homeworks during the semester can have a small positive influence on the final mark.

Additional info regarding evaluation

Not applicable

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Physics and Astronomy: Default track (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Mathematics and Data Science: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: biologie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: geografie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: chemie (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: wiskunde (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)
Master of Teaching in Science and Technology: ingenieurswetenschappen (120 ECTS, Etterbeek) (only offered in Dutch)