Aim of the course is to give the basic knowledges for the comprehension and the interpretation of the electromagnetic phenomena: it is therefore a pivotal course for the ensuing career. The Maxwell's equations, the classical electromagnetism and the physical optic, including the propagation of light considered as an electromagnetic wave, are studied; also the crisis of classical mechanics and the transition to the fundaments of modern physics is treated.
Moreover the course will develop the abilities for a scientific reasoning in view of applying the acquired concepts to physical and technological real problems. For this particular emphasis is given to the description of the experimental concepts and to several technological applications.

- Knowledge of electrostatics in dielectrics media and of magnetostatics.
- Knowledge of basic principles of time-dependent electric and magnetic fields.
- Knowledge of Maxwell's equations.
- Knowledge of wave optics as a consequence of Maxwell's equations.
- Knowledge of wave optics laws and of properties of electromagnetic waves.
- Preliminary knowledge of the wave-particle dualism.
- Ability to apply the acquired knowledge to solve elementary problems.
- Ability to understand the principal engineering and technological applications of electromagnetic phenomena.

- Basic physics (mechanics, thermodynamics, basic electrostatics)
- Basic mathematics and geometry

ELECTROSTATICS (1 credit)
Static electric field in matter: conductors. Capacitance and capacitors. Energy density of the electric field.
Dielectric materials: electrical polarization. Electric current. Conduction. Current intensity and current density. Direct current (DC). Resistance. Ohm’s law. Resistivity and conductivity. Electric power. Joule effect.

MAGNETOSTATICS (1,5 credits)
Magnetic field and magnetic induction. Second Maxwell’s equation. Force on a charge moving in a magnetic field: Lorentz’s force.
Magnetic force on a current-carrying conductor. Sources of magnetic field. Field of a straight current-carrying conductor: Laplace’s law, and its applications. Magnetic field of a circular current loop. Magnetic dipole. Torque on, and potential energy of, a magnetic dipole in a magnetic field. Forces between parallel currents. Ampère’s law and its applications. Magnetic fields in matter: diamagnetism, paramagnetism and ferromagnetism.

TIME-DEPENDENT ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS (2 credits)
Faraday – Henry – Lenz law of electromagnetic induction and its applications. Third Maxwell’s equation. Inductance and self-inductance. Energy in an R-L circuit. Energy density of the magnetic field. Ampère-Maxwell law: fourth Maxwell’s equation.

ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES (1 credit)
Wave equation for electric and magnetic field. General characteristics of a wave. Electromagnetic waves. Propagation and attenuation of the electromagnetic waves in conductors and dielectrics. Wave optics. Interference, electromagnetic waves interference and its applications. Diffraction: the basic principles. Fraunhofer’s theory of a double slit interference and of a single slit diffraction. Polarization of light: the basic principles.

INTRODUCTION TO MODERN PHYSICS (0,5 credits)
Photons. Waves and particles. De Broglie

Class exercises will developed with simple problem solving activities, in strict correlation with the previous theoretical lectures. In some cases scientific calculators (students' personal property) may be required.

• "Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics" FISHBANE, GASIOROWICZ, THORNTON, Ed. Pearson, Prentice Hall
• E.Tresso’s notes

The exam include a written proof followed by a brief oral proof.
The written proof concerns with:
a) a first part with multiple-answer quiz (minimum note 15/30)
b) a second part with questions on quantum mechanics theory and problems (either symbolic or numeric) referring to the main subjects of all the course.

The total scheduled time for the written exam is 2h 30min. Students cannot use textbooks or didactic materials during the written poofs, they can only use a pocket calculator. The written proof is passed with a total score of at least 15/30. The brief oral proof deals with all the subjects treated in lectures.