Electricity and Magnetism: Electrostatics

Course details

Electricity and Magnetism dominate much of the world around us – from the most fundamental processes in nature to cutting edge electronic devices. Electric and magnet fields arise from charged particles. Charged particles also feel forces in electric and magnetic fields. Maxwell’s equations, in addition to describing this behavior, also describe electromagnetic radiation.In this course, we focus on Electrostatics. We examine the forces between charges, electric fields, and electric potential, looking at different ways of calculating each. We also look at dipoles and the difference between conductors and insulators. The course ends by explaining capacitors and dielectrics.This is the first course in a series of courses based on an MIT course: 8.02, Electricity and Magnetism, a required introductory physics class for all MIT undergraduates.  The series of courses include:  8.02.1x: Electricity and Magnetism: Electrostatics 8.02.2x: Electricity and Magnetism: Magnetic Fields and Forces 8.02.3x: Electricity and Magnetism: Faradays Law and Magnetic Induction 8.02.4x: Electricity and Magnetism: DC and AC Circuits This course will require the use of calculus. Updated on 17 September, 2019