| CODE | FST0411 | ||||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Principles of Electrical Circuit Theory and Electromagnetism | ||||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 00 - Mod Pre-Tert, Foundation, Proficiency & DegreePlus | ||||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 4 | ||||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Engineering and ICT | ||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit introduces core concepts of Electrical Circuit Theory, Electromagnetism and Electronics. 1. Electric Fields - Concept with reference to charged particles and use of Coulomb’s law; - Concept of charging a metal by induction and an insulator by friction; - Define qualitatively and quantitatively the concept of Electric Field Strength and Electric Potential; - Uniform electric field; - Conductors and Insulators. 2. Electric Current - Concept with reference to flow of charge; - Derivation of I = nAvq; - Potential difference; - Resistance and its temperature dependence, resistivity; - Current-Voltage characteristics; - Sources of EMF and their internal resistance. 3. Capacitance - Concept of capacitance with reference to electric fields; - Dielectrics and factors affecting capacitance; - Charge / Discharge of capacitor as exponential growth/decay and the concept of time constant; - Energy stored; - Capacitors in series and parallel. 4. Magnetic fields - Concept of magnetic fields; - Electromagnetism, magnetic flux density; - Magnetic flux density of a wire and a solenoid; - Force on straight current carrying conductor; - Force between two long parallel current-carrying straight conductors; - Torque on a rectangular coil in different magnetic fields; - Force on charged particle through uniform electric field; - The Hall Effect; - Crossed electric and magnetic fields at right angles to each other; - The cyclotron. 5. Electromagnetic induction - Magnetic flux and flux linkage; - Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws; - Mutual and self-inductance; - Growth/decay of current in inductive circuits; - Simple generator / electric motor. 6. Direct Current Circuits - Potential and Current; - Kirchhoff’s laws; - Resistors in series/parallel; - Potential division; - The ammeter and voltmeter; - Energy and power; - RC circuits. 7. Alternating Currents - Characteristics (period, frequency, amplitude – RMS and peak); - Reactance; - Transformer – principles of operation; - The oscilloscope. 8. Fundamentals of Electronics - Measurement techniques; - Analogue, digital and mixed mode; - Sensors and actuators; - Conductors, insulators and semiconductors: reference to intrinsic and extrinsic semi-conductors, use of simple band theory; - The p-n junction diode and rectification (half-wave and full-wave), the LED; - Amplification using the op-amp; - ADCs and DACs; - Use of relays. Study-unit Aims: To provide: - Core concepts of Electrical Circuit Theory and Electronics; - A comprehensive understanding of Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction; - An introductory overview to the application of these concepts in practice. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Describe the concept of electric fields with reference to charged particles and its application to conductors and insulators; - Describe the concept of electric current including resistance and resistivity; - Explain the concept of capacitance with reference to electric fields; - Characterize magnetic fields including electromagnetism and apply this to the context of inductance; - Understand the differences between direct and alternating current through the use of various applications; - Describe semiconductors through the application of the diode for rectification; - Understand the differences between analogue and digital signals and the concept of signal conditioning; - Describe the physics behind various form of sensors for measuring various physical quantities; - Apply standard signal conditioning circuitry for signal amplification and analogue-digital conversion. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Analyze DC circuits through the application of Ohms and Kirchhoff’s laws for various resistive, capacitive and inductive circuits. Derive a circuit’s time constant; - Apply the principles of alternating current and rectification in transformer based applications. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - M. Farrell (2007). Advanced Level Physics Q&A. Miller Publications. ISBN: 9789993286158. - M. Farrell (2015). Advanced Level Physics Q&A Vol II. Miller Publications. ISBN: 9789995752217. - A.C. Xuereb (2012). Sixth Form College Physics, second edition. Merlin Publishers Ltd. ISBN: 978999091410-8. Supplementary Readings: - R. Muncaster (2014). A-Level Physics Fourth Edition. Nelson Thornes. ISBN: 9780748715848. - T. Duncan (2000). A-Level Physics Fifth Edition. Hodder Murray. ISBN: 9780719576690. - M. Nelkon and P. Parker (1987). Advanced Level Physics. Heinemann Educational Publishers. ISBN: 0435686682. |
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| ADDITIONAL NOTES | This study-unit is offered only to the Certificate in Foundation Studies students. Please note that a pass in the Examination component is obligatory for an overall pass mark to be awarded. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Independent Study, Lecture, Practical & Tutorials | ||||||||||||||||
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| LECTURER/S | Carl Caruana |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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