DEDAN KIMATHI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES

SPH 1113: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM:

Course Outline
Electricity and magnetism is an essential knowledge in the understanding the concepts in signal generation and
their transmission from one point to another. Also most of the communication devices use power specifically
electric power and therefore there is need to know the principles of the electric power operations, generation
and the interactions of the magnetic signals generated by the electric current.

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate a good understanding of the relationship between electromagnetism with computer

hardware

2. Demonstrate a good understanding of basic concepts of electrostatics: electrostatic field, electrostatic

potential, capacitance , capacitors and their applications

3. Apply DC current laws to various electric circuits

4. Apply Ampere’s law of magneto statics to different current configurations

5. Apply AC current laws to various electric circuits

6. Demonstrate a good understanding of basic concepts of semiconductor physics and semiconductor

devices and their applications

Course description

Part I: Units and dimensions, SI system, dimensional analysis, multiple and submultiples of SI units,
standard notation

Part II: Electrostatics: charge, electric field, electric potential, capacitance and capacitors.

Part III: DC current: current, resistance,current density,emf ,internal resistance,Ohm’s law, Kirchoffs
laws,DC circuit theorems, power , energy and work in DC circuits.

Part IV: Magnetostatics: Lorentz’s force, force acting on conductor with current, force of interaction
between conductors carrying current, magnetic flux and magnetic flux density of a solenoid,
moving coil permanent magnet meter,

Part V: AC circuits: AC generation and representation, reactance, resistance, impedance, phasors,r.m.s

values filters

Part VI: Introduction to semiconductor physics : p-n junction

1
Practicals

Electrical measuring instruments and Ohm’s law, Wheatstone bridge, internal resistance of a cell, the
oscilloscope, filters, diode, rectification

Teaching Methodology

The method of instruction will be lectures, interactive tutorials, practical classes and any other
presentations/demonstrations the lecturer will deem fit towards enhancing understanding of concepts taught in
class

Instruction Materials

Whiteboard, LCD/Overhead projector, handouts

Course assessment

During the period of study, assessment will be conducted by CATs (Continuous Assessment Tests), regular
assignments, laboratory reports and a final examination at the end of the unit.

Textbooks for the Course:

1. Halliday D, Resnik R and Walker J (2007), Fundamentals of Physics (Extended), 8 th Ed, Wiley and
Sons, Chichester

2. Jewett J.W and Serway A, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Vol. I (2007) Sanders College
Publishing, London

3. Tipler P. A, and Mosca G., (2007), Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 6th Edition, W. H. Freeman,
New York
4. Young H. D, Freedman R. A, and Ford L. (2007), University Physics with Modern Physics,12th Edition.
Addison Wesley, Upper Saddle River

Reference Text Books for the Course

1. Bueche, F., and Hecht, E. (2005), Schaum's Outline of College Physics, 10th Edition. McGraw-Hill.
New York
2. Giancoli D. C., (2004), Physics: Principles with Applications, 6th Edition, Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle
River

Reference Journals for the Course

1. International Journal of Physics

2. American Journal of Physics
3. Journal of Applied Physics

LECTURER : MR KIRAGU D.M MOBILE NO: 0721802483 --- email; mwaidaniel18@yahoo.com

OFFICE RESOURCE CENTRE 2 ROOM 8- (PHYSICS LECTURERS OFFICE)