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

3 lecture hours 2 lab hours 4 credits

• Explain the concept of electric charge and apply coulomb’s law to calculate the electric forces vector between, and the electric field vector produced by point charges
• Determine the electric fields produced by distributed charges and conductors
• Apply Gauss’s law to determine the electric field for a spherical and cylindrical symmetry
• Calculate the electric potential (V) from point charges, from potential energy and from electric field
• Apply the relationships between C, V, E, Q and U to solve problems related to capacitors including capacitors in series and parallel combination, and dielectrics
• Apply Ohm’s law to solve problems and make basic electric circuit calculations including resistors in series and parallel combination, RC circuits, and electromotive force.
• Apply the relation between the macroscopic concepts (V, I, R etc.) and the microscopic concepts (E, j, rho etc.) to solve problems
• Calculate the magnetic forces and torques on moving charges and currents
• Solve problems related to the magnetic fields produced by currents in a straight wire, loop, solenoid, and toroid, as well as by magnetic material
• Apply the concept of changing magnetic flux to calculate the induced emf and relate inductance to magnetic flux
• Determine the basic properties of electromagnetic waves
• Apply the principles of reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, to solve problems
• Apply the principle of reflection and refraction to explain the formation of images by mirrors and lenses.
• Compare and contrast light as waves and light as photons, and be able to convert the wavelength of light to the equivalent photon energy.
• Explain the physics underlying the photoelectric effect and Compton effect, and be able to perform calculations involving the photoelectric effect and Compton effect
• Compare and contrast the particle nature and wave nature of matter, and be able to calculate the De Broglie wavelength of a particle
• Describe ionizing radiation, the interaction of ionizing radiation with matter, and the radiation effects on human health
• State Einstein’s two postulates of special relativity, relate them to time dilation, length contraction, mass-energy conversions, and relativistic momentum and energy, and be able to perform calculations involving them

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