PHYS 352 Electromagnetic Waves

Term paper instructions

The term paper will be worth 20% of the final grade. It should be about 5 pages in length on a topic related to (1) a practical everyday or technological application of electrodynamics, (2) a geo/astro/biophysical phenomenon in which time-dependent electromagnetism plays a central role, (3) mathematical/numerical techniques for solving problems in electrodynamics, or (4) the history of electromagnetism.

You should assume that the person reading the paper has taken PHYS 352 and has a knowledge of electrodynamics at the level of the class. In your paper, you should (1) introduce the topic, and explain the background to the problem and why it is interesting, (2) carefully describe (preferably with the help of a diagram or two) the basic physics of the process, device, or experiment, and (3) perform a simple calculation (at the "back of the envelope" level) which determines the basic quantities involved, and illustrates the physics.

For example, you could describe the basic physics that underlies wireless charging of portable devices (e.g. cell phone or toothbrush), estimate some quantities related to an actual device, and discuss the limitations on the power that can be transferred etc., or you could describe the electromagnetic interaction between Jupiter and its moon Io and go through a simple estimate of how that is used to obtain the electrical conductivity of Io's surface layers (an argument for a sub-surface ocean on that moon).

Important dates

You should submit a title and a short description of the topic of your paper on myCourses by October 17.

The term paper is due by 5pm on the last day of class, Tuesday December 4th.

Assessment

Your term paper will be graded in the following categories.

Presentation and structure - was the material presented in a logical way? was the paper structured so that the reader has a good sense of where it is going? were references cited appropriately?
Research - how well was the topic researched? were appropriate sources used? did you show evidence of critical thinking when using the sources?
Explanation and understanding of the basic physics - how well was the basic physics identified? was it clearly explained at an appropriate level?
Estimation - how well was material learned in class applied to make a "back of the envelope" estimate of relevant quantities?

Examples of topics

If you need help finding a good topic, come and talk to me. Examples of topics from previous years are:

Magnetic confinement of plasmas for nuclear fusion reactors
RFI: how it works
Generating magnetic fields in the early universe
Electrodynamic phenomena in the upper atmosphere
Magnetic resonance imaging
The E-bomb
The rabbit ears antenna
Physics of the microwave oven
Electrodynamics of plasmas
Materials with a negative index of refraction
The role of magnetic fields in star formation
Magnetic fields in neutron stars: magnetars
Propagation of signals in neurons
Thunder domes and aurora
Signal jamming
Synchrotron radiation
Scattering of EM waves from rough surfaces
The Meisner effect
Earth's dynamo

Back to course page

McGill University values academic integrity. Therefore all students must understand the meaning and consequences of cheating, plagiarism and other academic offences under the Code of Student Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures (more information). In accord with McGill University's Charter of Students' Rights, students in this course have the right to submit in English or in French any written work that is to be graded. In the event of extraordinary circumstances beyond the University's control, the content and/or evaluation scheme in this course is subject to change. Additional policies governing academic issues which affect students can be found in the McGill Charter of Students' Rights.