FYS3120 – Classical Mechanics and Electrodynamics

Course content

This course gives an introduction to analytical mechanics and field theory, with an emphasis on Lagrange-Hamilton formalism and the action concept. Further, the course contains a thorough introduction to Einstein’s special relativity using four-vector formalism. This is used to give a covariant (independent of reference frame) description of mechanics and electromagnetism, including Maxwell’s equations.

Learning outcome

After completing this course you are?expected to:

  • understand the fundamental concepts of analytical mechanics such as generalised coordinates and momenta, the Lagrange and Hamilton functions, the action, cyclic coordinates and the relation between symmetries and conserved quantities through Noether's theorem, as well as the use of Poisson brackets
  • be able to use the Lagrange and Hamilton equations to solve complex mechanical problems, both analytically and with relevant symbolic and numerical computational tools, and to use phase space based arguments to achieve a qualitative understanding of the existing solutions, as well as to apply variational calculus to more general problems.
  • understand the fundamental concepts of special relativity and their physical consequences, such as the Lorentz transformation, invariant quantities, the metric, and four-vectors and more general tensors, as well as their use in covariant formulations of physical laws.
  • be able to perform calculations using relativistic mechanics and conservation laws, including Newton’s second law on covariant form.
  • be able to use Maxwell’s equations in calculations featuring both free and stationary electromagnetic waves including polarisation, to solve problems with stationary sources including the use of the multipole expansion, and time-dependent sources with electromagnetic radiation, including radiation from a dipole.
  • have a basic understanding of the field formulation of the Lagrange-Hamilton formalism, including Noether's theorem and the energy-momentum tensor, as well as be able to perform calculations on simple examples of relativistic field theories.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.

Special admission requirements

In addition to fulfilling the?Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:

  • Mathematics R1 (or Mathematics S1 and S2) + R2

And in addition one of these:

  • Physics (1+2)
  • Chemistry (1+2)
  • Biology (1+2)
  • Information technology (1+2)
  • Geosciences (1+2)
  • Technology and theories of research (1+2)

The special admission requirements may also be covered by?equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies?(in Norwegian).

Overlapping courses

Teaching

The course is taught through a whole semester with 6?hours of teaching per week:

  • 4 hours of lectures
  • 2 hours of problem-solving classes

This course has 12 mandatory problem sets. Before you can sit the final exam you must have had approved, and participated in the correction of (peer evaluation/self evaluation), at least three of the first six and at least three of the last six problem sets.

Regulations for mandatory assignments can be found here.

Examination

  • Midterm home exam which counts 20 % towards the final grade.
  • Final written exam, 4 hours, which counts 80 % towards the final grade.

A minimum of 6 out of 12 assignments?must be approved before you can sit the final exam.

When writing your exercises make sure to familiarize yourself with the?rules for use of sources and citations.?Breach of these rules may lead to suspicion of?attempted cheating.

It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course, if you sit the exam for one of the following courses: FYS4120 – Classical mechanics and electrodynamics (discontinued)

Examination support material

Language of examination

You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a?postponed exam?at the beginning of the next semester.

New examinations?are offered at the beginning of the next semester for students who do not successfully complete the exam during the previous semester.

We do not offer a re-scheduled exam for students who withdraw during the exam.

More about examinations at UiO

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.

Last updated from FS (Common Student System) May 12, 2024 12:38:41 PM

Facts about this course

Level
Bachelor
Credits
10
Teaching
Spring
Examination
Spring
Teaching language
Norwegian (English on request)

Contact

Department of Physics