PHY104 - Physics II: Electromagnetism and Light (2023-2024)

Physics II (PHY104) provides an overview of numerous physics concepts related to the description of light and of electromagnetic phenamena. This course introduces the concept of fields in physics, in particular with the electric and magnetic fields, and develops students’ understanding of electrostatics, magnetostatics, geometrical and wave description of light. In addition, students explore concepts such as Coulomb’s law, Lorentz force, Gauss' law, Ohm's law, Faraday's law, and others. Upon completion of the course, the students will understand how the classical field theory of electromagnetism with the set of Maxwell equations can describe in a unified way many physical phenomena, from the propagation of light to electrostatics, magnetostatics and electromagnetic induction.

Student evaluation is continuous throughout the semester with three written exams regularly spaced, and with equal weight (the third exam being at the end of the semester). To validate the PHY104 course, a minimum average of 10/20 for these 3 written exams is required. Additionally, a project and several homeworks, distributed throughout the semester, are graded and count as a bonus added to the final PHY104 grade if the course is validated. The project gives a bonus of maximum one point, and homeworks also give a bonus of maximum one point (for all of them).