Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/dianci
As a cornerstone of general physics, electromagnetism is a mandatory course for all science and engineering students in higher education. The Coursera course ‘Electromagnetism I – Constant Electric Fields’ (电磁学上——恒定电场), offered by Peking University, provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to this fundamental subject. Originally part of a larger 13-week course, this iteration has been optimized for on-demand learning, allowing students to progress at their own pace without strict deadlines.
This course is particularly well-suited for ambitious high school students aiming for physics and related majors, as well as university students seeking to solidify their foundational knowledge. It meticulously covers the initial three chapters of the ‘General University Physics Tutorial’ on electromagnetism: electrostatic fields, conductors and dielectrics, and direct current. These topics form the bedrock for understanding more advanced concepts in the subsequent ‘Electromagnetism II’ course.
The course is structured into five modules, each culminating in a self-assessment quiz. The learning process is designed to be flexible, enabling students to skip familiar concepts or focus on areas needing reinforcement. The assessment strategy is balanced, with module exercises contributing 60% to the final grade and a comprehensive final exam accounting for the remaining 40%. This structure ensures a thorough understanding of the material.
**Module Breakdown and Key Takeaways:**
* **Module 1: Coulomb’s Law and Electric Field Strength:** This module lays the groundwork by introducing Coulomb’s Law and the concept of electric field strength. It emphasizes understanding the relationship between force and field, and mastering the method of superposition and infinitesimal calculus for calculating electric fields from charge distributions. The importance of this foundational module cannot be overstated.
* **Module 2: Gauss’s Law and Ampere’s Circuital Law:** Here, students delve into the fundamental properties of electrostatic fields, introducing Gauss’s Law and Ampere’s Circuital Law. New concepts like flux and circulation are explored, leading to the crucial concept of electric potential. The module highlights the relationship between electric field strength and electric potential (potential gradient) and derives the differential forms of Gauss’s and Ampere’s Laws, along with the field equations for electrostatic fields. While mathematically challenging, the focus remains on understanding the potential gradient and applying Gauss’s Law for field calculations.
* **Module 3: Conductors and Electrostatic Equilibrium:** This section examines the behavior of conductors in electrostatic fields, focusing on properties at electrostatic equilibrium, including conductors with cavities and electrostatic shielding. The capacitor, a vital electrical component, is also introduced. Students will learn about the fundamental principles governing conductors and their behavior under electric forces.
* **Module 4: Dielectrics and Electric Field Energy:** This module tackles dielectrics and electrostatic energy. It explains dielectric polarization, the response of materials to electric fields, and how to calculate fields generated by polarized charges. The module also covers Gauss’s and Ampere’s Laws in the presence of dielectrics and delves into electric field energy, including self-energy, interaction energy, and the relationship between electrostatic energy and the electric field. The discussion on interaction energy, while formula-heavy, demonstrates a systematic approach to problem-solving in physics.
* **Module 5: Direct Current:** The final module covers direct current, including Ohm’s Law, electromotive force (EMF), and power sources. It revisits familiar concepts from middle school physics, encouraging students to integrate them with university-level understanding. Kirchhoff’s laws for analyzing simple and complex DC circuits are a key focus, requiring students to accurately set up and solve circuit equations.
**Recommendation:**
‘Electromagnetism I – Constant Electric Fields’ is an exceptionally well-structured and pedagogically sound course. The on-demand format offers unparalleled flexibility, making it ideal for self-paced learning. The instructors from Peking University provide clear explanations and relevant examples, making complex topics more digestible. The inclusion of practice problems with references to a standard textbook is a significant advantage for students seeking to deepen their understanding. Whether you are a high school student preparing for advanced studies or a university student aiming to build a strong foundation in electromagnetism, this course is highly recommended. It provides not just knowledge, but also an appreciation for the elegance and methodology of physics.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/dianci