Brief description
The concept of electric charge is introduced and electric force, field and potential are explained in terms of Coulomb's Law with illustrative examples. The alternative approach of Gauss's Law is introduced. The flow of charge is considered and this leads to Ohm's Law and the concept of resistance. Capacitors and resistors are examined and examples are given of their use in electric circuits. Magnetic fields and forces are introduced and applied to simple systems - electric motors and the motion of charged particles. The Biot-Savart Law is used to estimate the magnetic flux and this leads to Faraday's Law of induction, electric generators and inductance. A brief introduction is given to alternating currents in resistors, capacitors and inductors.

Learning outcomes
After taking this module students should be able to:

• Calculate the force on a charged particle in electric and magnetic fields.
• Calculate the potential of a system charged particles.
• Describe the structure and function of resistors, and capacitors.
• Calculate DC currents and voltages in resistor networks using Kirchoff's rules.
• Calculate the magnetic field due to a current carrying conductor for simple geometry.
• Understand Faraday's Law and application to motional EMF and electric generators.
• Understand the phase relationships between current and voltage in resistive, capacitative and inductive circuits.

Additional learning activities
Tutorials and Example Classes

Outline syllabus
Electricity:

Positive and negative charge
Conductors, insulators and semiconductors
Coulomb's Law
Electric field and potential - Gauss's Law, equipotentials
Capacitors - construction, series and parallel combinations, stored energy.
Current and resistance - resistance, Ohm's Law, resistivity, ammeters, voltmeters
DC circuits - resistors in series and parallel, internal resistance, energy, power
Kirchoff's rules.

Magnetism:

Magnetic fields associated with moving electric charges.
Magnetic field in terms of force on a moving electric charge.
Magnetic force on a current carrying wire.
Torque on a current loop, electric motors and galvanometer.
Charge motion in electromagnetic field, Lorentz force, velocity selection, Hall effect.
Mag. field calc., Biot-Savart Law, permeability, current carrying coil, long wire.
Force between two parallel wires, Ampere.
Electromag. induction, Faraday's Law, Lenz Law, motional EMF, electric generator.
Induction, self induction.
AC currents in resistive, capacitative abd inductive circuits, reactance.