Notes

8.02x - MIT Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism

Course Title: 8.02x - MIT Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism

Offered by: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Instructor: Walter Lewin

Course Overview:

1. In-depth exploration of the fundamental principles of electricity and magnetism.
2. Builds upon concepts introduced in introductory physics courses.

Key Topics Covered:

1. ⚡️ Electric Fields

   • Examines the concept of electric fields and their generation by charged particles.
   • Covers Coulomb's law, Gauss's law, and behavior of electric fields in various situations.

2. 🔋 Electric Potential

   • Delves into electric potential and its relationship with electric potential energy and work.
   • Explores concepts like voltage and equipotential surfaces.

3. 💡 Capacitance and Dielectrics

   • Studies capacitors and capacitance.
   • Explores how dielectric materials affect the storage of electric charge.
   • Covers principles behind parallel plate capacitors and their applications.

4. 🔌 Current and Resistance

   • Introduces electric current, resistance, and Ohm's law.
   • Teaches how electrical circuits work and how to analyze them.

5. 🧲 Magnetic Fields

   • Covers the Biot-Savart law, Ampère's law, and the magnetic properties of materials.

6. 🔦 Electromagnetic Induction

   • Explores electromagnetic induction, Faraday's law, and Lenz's law.
   • Fundamental to understanding how electric currents are generated.

7. 📡 Electromagnetic Waves

   • Touches upon electromagnetic waves, including their propagation, polarization, and electromagnetic radiation.

8. ∇ Maxwell's Equations

   • Culminates with Maxwell's equations, which describe the unification of electricity and magnetism in the theory of electromagnetism.