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8.02.1x

Electricity and Magnetism: Electrostatics

About this course

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.

Learning Objectives

  • How electric fields form and how to measure them
  • What are dipoles
  • Gauss’s Law and why it is important
  • What is electric potential
  • How conductors, insulators, and capacitors work
  • Format of This Course

    This course includes lectures and exercises.

    Recommended Prerequisites

    Knowledge of classical mechanics, multivariable calculus

    License Type

    This course may contain material that is © third parties. Unless otherwise indicated, all content is © All Rights Reserved by the course instructor(s).

    Course staff

    Course Staff Image #1

    Peter Dourmashkin

    Senior Lecturer, Physics

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Course Staff Image #3

    Analia Barrantes

    Lecturer, Physics

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Course Staff Image #3

    Michelle Tomasik

    Lecturer, Physics

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Course Staff Image #4

    Robert Redwine

    Professor of Physics and Director of Bates Linear Accelerator Center

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Course Staff Image #5

    Krishna Rajagopal

    Dean for Digital Learning

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

    Course Staff Image #6

    Kerstin Perez

    Assistant Professor of Physics

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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    Frequently Asked Questions

    Find answers to the most common questions and find information on further assistance here.
    1. Course Number:

      8.02.1x
    2. Classes Start:

    3. Classes End:

    4. Estimated Effort:

      12 hours/week
    5. Length:

      7 weeks
    6. Year Created:

      2019
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