Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism
The Physics II courses are introductory courses that explore the fundamental principles of electricity and magnetism. These courses cover the behavior of electric and magnetic fields, how they interact with matter, and their applications in various physical systems. They provide a comprehensive foundation for understanding electromagnetism, which is crucial for many areas of physics and engineering. The lab courses involve hands-on experiments which reinforce theoretical concepts and develop practical skills in measurement and data analysis.
Topics in Electricity and Magnetism
The physics II lab courses cover course-specific subsets of the following topics:
- Circuit Building
- Capacitors
- Electric Fields
- Ohm's Law
- DC Circuits
- Kirchhoff's Laws
- Magnetic Fields
- Electron Charge-to-Mass Ratio
- Faraday's Law
- Reflection & Refraction of Light
- Interference & Diffraction of Light
- Spectroscopy
- Nuclear Radiation
- Oscilloscopes & RC Circuits
- RLC Circuits
Lab Courses
- PHY 114: Elementary experiments in physics for non-physics majors. Requires outside preparation for experiments and report writing. May be taken concurrently with, or subsequent to PHY 112.
- PHY 132: Elementary experiments in physics for engineers (calculus-based). Requires outside preparation for experiments and report writing. May be taken concurrently with, or subsequent to PHY 131.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Conduct precise measurements using electrical test equipment including voltmeters, ammeters, and oscilloscopes.
- Analyze experimental data effectively, interpret results accurately, and articulate the conclusions drawn from the results using logical reasoning.
- Understand the role of mathematical modeling in experimental data analysis and clearly explain the conditions under which these models are valid or invalid.
- Communicate scientific findings through written reports and collaborative work.