Introductory Electricity and Magnetism

Massachusetts Institute of Technology via edX XSeries

Overview

Explore the concepts of electricity and magnetism in this series of courses, based on the second semester of introductory physics at MIT.

This series of modules discusses the idea of fields, specifically the electric and magnetic field. We explore several ways to calculate both the electric and magnetic field and also look at dipoles, forces, and simple circuits. We finish the course by combining all of Maxwell’s Equations to see how the speed of light and electromagnetic radiation comes about.

This series requires the use of multivariable calculus, although most of the math that is used will be reviewed. It is also best if you have previously completed our 8.01x Introductory Mechanics series.

Syllabus

Courses under this program:
Course 1: Electricity and Magnetism: Electrostatics

Learn how charges interact with each other and create electric fields and electric potential landscapes in this introductory-level physics course.

Course 2: Electricity and Magnetism: Magnetic Fields and Forces

Learn how charges create and move in magnetic fields and how to analyze simple DC circuits in this introductory-level physics course.

Course 3: Electricity and Magnetism: Maxwell’s Equations

In this final part of 8.02, we will cover Faraday’s Law, Circuits with Inductors, Maxwell’s equations, and electromagnetic radiation. This introductory Electromagnetism physics course will require the use of calculus.

Courses

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10 weeks, 11-13 hours a week, 11-13 hours a week
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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 firstmodule in a series of three that are based on the MIT course: 8.02, Electricity and Magnetism, a required introductory physics class for all MIT undergraduates, which is being offered as an XSeries.Please visit to learn Introductory Electricity and Magnetism XSeries Program Pagefor more information and to enroll in all three modules.

This course will require the use of calculus.
0 reviews
8 weeks, 11-13 hours a week, 11-13 hours a week
View 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 describes electromagnetic radiation.

In this course, we focus on magnetic fields and forces on charged particles in magnetic fields. We examine different ways of calculating the magnetic field, as well as introducing the ideas of current, resistance and simple direct current (DC) circuits.

This is the second module in a series of three that are based on the MIT course: 8.02, Electricity and Magnetism, a required introductory physics class for all MIT undergraduates, which is being offered as an XSeries. Please visit to learn Introductory Electricity and Magnetism XSeries Program Page for more information and to enroll in all three modules.

This introductory Electromagnetism physics course will require the use of calculus.
0 reviews
10 weeks, 11-13 hours a week, 11-13 hours a week
View 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 finish up this introduction to Electricity and Magnetism. We begin by thinking about magnetic fields that change in time, working through Faraday’s Law and Inductors in Circuits. With the addition of Displacement Current, we complete Maxwell’s Equations. We finish the course by exploring the solution to Maxwell’s equations in free space – electromagnetic radiation.

This is the last module in a series of three that are based on the MIT course: 8.02, Electricity and Magnetism, a required introductory physics class for all MIT undergraduates, which is being offered as an XSeries. Please visit to learn Introductory Electricity and Magnetism XSeries Program Page for more information and to enroll in all three modules.