Calvin College Engineering Department

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Calvin College - Engineering Department Spring
2002 Engineering 302 - Electromagnetic Fields
The beauty of electricity . . . is that it is
under law. Michael Faraday Each
individual man should do all he can to impress
his mind with the extent , the order, and the
unity of the universe, and should carry these
ideas with him as he reads the Bible.
James Clerk Maxwell
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Text Engineering Electromagnetics, Sixth
Edition, by William Hayt, and John A. Buck,
McGraw Hill Book Company, New York, 2001 Course
Goals and Objectives  This course uses Maxwell's
equation as the central theme. These equations
are developed from a historical approach in which
the relevant experimental laws are gradually
introduced and manipulated with the help of a
steadily increasing knowledge of vector calculus.
The equations are developed in their differential
and integral forms to free space and material
region. Several applications of these equations
are studied, including wave motion, skin effect,
transmission line phenomena, circuit theory, and
resonant cavity. A first look at radiation and
antennas is also included. The. objective of the
course is then to develop physical insight into
applications of electromagnetic equations and to
gain facility in doing calculations in solving
problems in electromagnetic theory. The
electromagnetic spectrum ranges from frequencies
10 E23 cycles per second to 0 cycles per second
(or, in corresponding wavelengths, from 10 E-13
centimeter to infinity) and including, in order
of decreasing frequency, cosmic ray photons,
gamma rays, x-rays, ultraviolet radiation,
visible light, infrared radiation, microwaves,
radio waves, heat, and electric currents. Thus,
one can very easily see the importance of a clear
understanding of electromagnetic fields in the
process of redeeming, i.e. preserving, healing
and opening up, creation. The concept of a field
(and corresponding forces) introduced by Maxwell
(and Kelvin) is a basic and fruitful idea to
describe physical (electromagnetic) interactions.
From a philosophical point of view a field is a
spatial concept which anticipates the kinematical
and physical modal aspects, whereas force is a
physical concept, as it refers back to the
spatial aspect. From this kind of reasoning we
hope to encourage the students to think and
develop a creative, scientific/philosophical mind
in which the applications (and implications) of
the Maxwell's equations may be understood and
discussed. Students are exposed to a brief
introduction to numerical methods / finite
elements for electromagnetic applications.
 
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Course Description and Overview The course will
cover the topics of vector analysis review,
coulomb's law and electric field intensity,
electric flux density, Gauss's law, divergence,
energy and potential, conductors, dielectrics,
capacitance, Poisson's and Laplace's equations,
the steady magnetic field, magnetic forces,
materials, inductance, time-varying fields,
Maxwell's equations, the uniform plane wave,
transmission lines, antennas and other
applications. Considering the abstract nature of
the subject, visual aids are very important in
grasping concepts. Consequently, in order to
facilitate the learning process, an emphasis on
computer calculations will given through the
extensive use of MathCAD, MATLAB, Mathematica.
Also a finite element computer program (Quick
Field) for calculation of electrical and magnetic
fields will be used.
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Methods of Instruction Four class periods (two
class presentations and two computer lab hours)
per week.   Major assignments or Projects Weekly
homework, computer-lab/research paper
project.   Means of Evaluation Track 1 Two
Midterms (30) Exam (20) Homework (20) Sho
rt Research Paper / Presentation
(10) Participation (10) Track
2 Homework (20) Research Paper /
Presentation (70) Participation
(10)   Example of Topics for Research
Paper X-ray Biological Effect of EM Fields
power, RF, etc. Electromagnetic
Interference Magnetic Fields at Home Electric
Blankets
 
Computational Tools Used MathCAD, MATLAB and
Quick Field
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Some of the 2001 Paper Topics Electromagnetic
Pulse Rail guns Microwaves The Effects of
Electromagnetic Radiation on Health in Space
Environments DC Stepping Motors The History of
Electromagnetism Biological Effects of
EMF Particle Accelerators Wireless
Communications Magnetic Levitation The HAARP
Project Geomagnetic Storms and Impact on Power
Systems
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HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS Chapter Problems 1 5, 12,
15, 23, 27 2 3, 7, 10, 13, 17, 20 3 3, 9, 12,
15, 17, 21, 26 4 6, 9, 11, 13, 17, 23, 31,
33 5 1, 3, 9, 17, 23, 29, 45 7 3, 13, 17, 23,
27 8 1, 5, 15, 23, 29 9 5, 9, 31a,b 10 3, 9,
15 11 3, 9, 21, 25 13 1, 3, 11, 15, 17 All
homework assignments must be turned in on time
for full credit. Late assignments will be
assessed a penalty. Assignments more than one
week late will be assessed a penalty. Homework,
Tests, etc. should be prepared electronically
(MathCAD, MATLAB / Mathematica, Word). No
handwritten assignments will be accepted.