Course detail
Physics II
FSI-3F-A Acad. year: 2025/2026 Winter semester
The course “Physics II” familiarises students with both basic theories of classical physics (electromagnetism and optics) and elementary quantum mechanics. The obtained knowledge is necessary for understanding of the theoretical fundamentals of modern engineering disciplines. Also dealt with are the following topics: Electromagnetism. Electrostatic field. Magnetic field. Electromagnetic field. Maxwell’s equations. Fundamentals of optics. Elementary quantum mechanics. Particle features of radiation and wave features of particles. Electron orbitals of an atom. Nucleus of an atom.
Language of instruction
English
Number of ECTS credits
8
Supervisor
Department
Entry knowledge
Knowledge of mathematics and physics used in the field of: Newton’s laws, motion of a particle in force fields, work and energy, dynamics of systems formed by particles, gravitational field, oscillations and waves, interference of waves, geometrical and wave optics, thermodynamics, temperature, heat and work, principles of thermodynamics.
Rules for evaluation and completion of the course
Final classification reflects the result of continuous check in the form of tests in the seminars. The final examination consists of the obligatory written test and facultative oral part.
Details on the server physics.fme.vutbr.cz
Attendance at seminars and labs which are stated in the timetable is checked by the teacher. Absence may be compensated for by the agreement with the teacher.
Aims
The goal of the course is to inform students about the electromagnetic interaction and with the related processes in a vacuum and in matters, to clarify mutual relation between electric and magnetic field, the significance of the Maxwell equations and to show the relation of electromagnetism, optics and the theory of circuits.
The course enables students to apply differential, integral and vector calculus for the calculation of intensity and potential of electric and magnetic fields and of the behaviour of charged particles in these fields. The course develops their competence of abstract thinking and the competence to generalise experimental knowledge during the process of the physical-laws formulation.
The study programmes with the given course
Programme B-STI-A: Fundamentals of Mechanical Engineering, Bachelor's, compulsory
Type of course unit
Lecture
39 hours, optionally
Syllabus
Electromagnetism. Electric charge (Coulomb law). Electric field (electric field vector and electric field lines).
Electric field due to charged particle systems (principle of superposition).
Gauss law (applying Gauss’ law).
Electric potential (electric potential energy, potential of charged particle systems).
Capacitance (calculating the capacitance, energy stored in electric field, dielectrics).
Current and resistance. Circuits (Kirchhoff’s laws).
Magnetic field (magnetic field vector and lines, Lorentz and Amper laws).
Magnetic fields due to currents (principle of superposition, law of Biot and Savart, calculating the magnetic fields).
Magnetic fields due to currents (Amper’s law, calculating the magnetic fields).
Electromagnetic induction (Faraday’s law of induction, inductors and inductance, energy stored in magnetic field, induced electric fields).
Electromagnetic oscillations and alternating currents. Maxwell’s equations. Electromagnetic waves.
Optics. Images. Interference and diffraction.
Quantum physics. Photons and matter waves. (Schrödinger’s equation, Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle).
Atomic physics (hydrogen atom and its spectrum, building the periodic table). Nuclear physics (nuclear binding energies, radioactive decay)
Laboratory exercise
26 hours, compulsory
Syllabus
1. Graphic solution: a circuit with a photodiode.
2. System reaction to the signal: RLC circuits.
3. Dynamic modeling: a circuit with a condensator.
4. Statistical data processing: a measuring with beta and gamma radiation.
5A. Feedback in regulation: thermostat.
5B. Feedback in measurement: thermometer.
6A. Signal processing: convolution.
6B. Signal processing: Fourier transformation.
Exercise
26 hours, compulsory
Syllabus
The exercises and problems are from the textbook HRW2;
1. Electrostatics I
2. Electrostatics II;
3. Circuits and Currents;
4. Magnetic field;
5. Induced magnetic fields;
6.Optics;
7. Quantum, Atomic and Nuclear Physics.