PHY 1120 - Physics II - Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics

3 lecture hours 2 lab hours 4 credits

• Understand the concept of electric charge and determine the electric forces between, and the electric field produced, by point charges
• Determine the electric fields produced by distributed charges and conductors
• Understand electric potential (V) in terms of potential energy as well as in relationship to the electric field
• Understand the relationships between C, V, E, Q, and U for a capacitor
• Make basic electric circuit calculations
• Relate the macroscopic concepts (V, I, R etc.) to the corresponding field and microscopic concepts (E, j, rho etc.)
• Determine the magnetic forces and torques on moving charges and currents.
• Determine the magnetic fields produced by currents as well as by magnetic material
• Apply the concept of changing magnetic flux to determine the induced emf
• Determine the basic properties of electromagnetic waves
• Apply the principles of reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, and superposition of waves
• Solve problems involving lenses and mirrors
• Compare and contrast light as waves and light as photons, and be able to convert the wavelength of light to the equivalent photon energy
• Understand the physics underlying the photoelectric effect and Compton effect and perform calculations involving the photoelectric effect and Compton effect
• Compare and contrast the particle nature and wave nature of matter and calculate the De Broglie wavelength of a particle
• Describe ionizing radiation and understand interaction of ionizing radiation with matter, and the radiation effects on human health

Lab outcomes:

• Apply general physical laws related to electricity, magnetism, optics and nuclear physics to solve specific problems and make quantitative predictions
• Translate physical scenarios into formalisms that allow rigorous quantitative analysis using both analytical and numerical tools
• Analyze and solve physical problems by applying mathematical techniques including graphing, vector mathematics and calculus
• Discern the applicability and limitations of models used to describe physical phenomena
• Clearly communicate quantitative information with unambiguous and properly constructed tables and figures
• Use graphical analysis to analyze the results of an experiment
• Use curve-fitting and regression analysis to extract quantitative information from experimental data
• Analyze relationships of varying sophistication, from simple linear correspondence to complex behaviors
• Quantify uncertainties in measurement and understand how these impact confidence in experimental results
• Critique experimental design and practices to identify potential sources of error and distinguish between random and systematic error 
• Identify limitations of models of physical phenomena that may be responsible for discrepancies between theory and experiment

• Calculus (differentiation and integration)
• Vectors (scalar and vector products)
• College level calculus base mechanics-kinematics, dynamics and energy concepts
• Waves 
• College level lab experience - techniques, safety, and report writing

• Electric charge, electric force (Coulomb’s law), and electric field (due to a point charge and to charge distribution)
• Gauss’s law: for basic spherical and cylindrical symmetry and infinite plane of charge.
• Electric potential (due to point charges, and to charge distribution); electric potential energy
• Capacitors (parallel plates capacitor); capacitors in series and parallel; dielectrics
• Electric circuits including Ohm’s law; EMF, Kirchhoff’s rules and RC circuits

Magnetism

• Magnetic force on a moving charge in magnetic field and on a current in magnetic field; motors; and Hall effect.
• Sources of magnetic field (straight wires carrying current, solenoid, toroid, and current loop); Ampere’s law; Biot-Savart law
• Induction: Faraday’s law and Lenz’s law; inductance; LR circuit; and LC circuits (resonance)
• Maxwell’s equations and light as an electromagnetic wave

Optics

• Reflection and refraction of light; formation of images by mirrors and thin lens
• Interference; diffraction by a single slit; diffraction grating; and thin-film interference

Modern physics

• Photon theory of light; the photoelectric effect; photon energy; and complementary principle

Nuclear physics (two experiments)

• Energy-mass conversion (E=mc²), types of radiation including antiparticles, nuclear reactions and decay, half lifetime

• Electrostatic acceleration and deflection of electrons
• Qualitative field and equipotential plots for various electrode configurations
• Quantitative determination of the field between concentric cylinders
• Parallel plate capacitors
• Ohm’s law, resistors in series and parallel
• Resistivity of water
• RC Circuit
• Magnetic deflection of electrons and weighing the electron
• Magnetic field produced by magnets and currents (solenoid and coil)
• Electromagnetic induction
• Mirrors and lenses
• Interference and diffraction
• Half live of radioactive silver
• Gamma ray scintillation spectroscopy