Program Overview

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GENERAL PHYSICS II

Course Overview

The course contains an exposition of the fundamental principles and the main applications of classical electromagnetism and optics.

Aims and Content

Learning Outcomes

• Basic understanding of the fundamental laws of electromagnetism, based on experimental facts.
• Role of electromagnetism and optics in other fields of science and technology.
• Capability of solving simple problems in this context.

Aims and Learning Outcomes

• Understanding of the observational basis of classical electromagnetism and formulation of the relevant laws.
• Maxwell's equations in integral form from experimental evidences. Main applications.
• Maxwell's equation in differential form and their solutions.
• Wave equation from Maxwell's equations. Idea of electromagnetic wave and connections with optics.
• Solution of simple problems in electrostatics, magnetostatics, electromagnetic induction, geometrical optics, and wave optics.

Prerequisites

• Fisica Generale
• Analisi I and II

Teaching Methods

Traditional lectures at the blackboard. About 30% of the total time is devoted to exercises and problems.

Syllabus/Content

• Electrostatics in empty space: electric field and electric potential. Systems of conductors.
• Electrostatics in the presence of dielectric media.
• Stationary electric currents. Kirchoff's laws. RC circuit.
• Stationary magnetic field in empty space.
• Time-dependent electric and magnetic fields. Maxwell equations.
• Electromagnetic waves: spectrum, energy, sources. Reflection and transmission. Interference and diffraction.

Recommended Reading/Bibliography

• D. J. Griffiths, Introduction to Electrodynamics, third edition (1998, Benjamin Cummings)
• C. Mencuccini, V. Silvestrini, Fisica - Elettromagnetismo e ottica, Casa Editrice Ambrosiana. Distribuzione esclusiva Zanichelli (2017)

Teachers and Exam Board

Teacher

• Nicola Maggiore

Exam Board

• Nicola Maggiore (President)
• Niccolò Traverso Ziani
• Fabio Cavaliere (President Substitute)
• Giovanni Ridolfi (President Substitute)
• Andrea Amoretti (Substitute)
• Dario Ferraro (Substitute)

Lessons

Lessons Start

February 26, 2026

Class Schedule

The timetable for this course is available on the Portale EasyAcademy.

Exams

Exam Description

Assessment Methods

The final assessment consists of a written examination comprising three exercises, each covering one of the following topics: electrostatics, magnetostatics, and electromagnetism (waves and circuits). The total duration of the exam is three hours.

Exam Dates and Registration

• Exam dates are published on the Aulaweb platform and on the official examination calendar available on the University website.
• Registration for the written exam is mandatory and must be completed through the UniGe online portal.
• Students are strongly advised to check the registration deadline, which is generally set three days prior to the exam date.

Exam Rules

• During the written examination, students are allowed to consult only the official reference materials indicated by the lecturer.
• Desks must remain free of any books, notes, or personal devices.

Passing the Exam

• The written exam is considered passed with a score equal to or higher than 18 out of 30.
• A positive result in the written exam remains valid for the entire current academic year.

Oral Examination

After passing the written exam, students may choose to:

1. Accept the written exam grade as the final course grade, without taking the oral examination.
2. Take an oral examination (approximately 30 minutes), during any official exam session of the current academic year.

Oral Exam Assessment

During the oral examination, the instructor will assess the student's understanding of the course content and communication skills, through questions that may involve:

• Solving a problem.
• Analysing a real-world situation that can be described using the physical models covered in the course.
• Presenting and critically discussing a physical model and its range of validity.
• Proving a physical relation.

Oral Exam Duration and Requirement

• The actual duration of the oral exam is at the instructor's discretion.
• The instructor reserves the right to require the oral exam in cases deemed appropriate.
• Passing the oral exam is mandatory in order to be awarded the highest grade (30 cum laude).

Assessment Methods

Through the written exam, the student's ability to face and solve physics problems related to the topics addressed during the course will be evaluated. The oral test will evaluate the theoretical understanding of the above.

Exam Schedule

Exam Date	Time	Location	Degree Type	Note
09/01/2026	09:00	GENOVA	Scritto
03/02/2026	09:00	GENOVA	Scritto
11/06/2026	09:00	GENOVA	Scritto
09/07/2026	09:00	GENOVA	Scritto
15/09/2026	09:00	GENOVA	Scritto

Further Information

Teaching style: In presence

Agenda 2030 - Sustainable Development Goals

• Quality education
• Gender equality