Physics - PHYS 212

Course Description

This second semester, calculus-based course is a continuation of PHYS 211. Advanced topics such as electricity, magnetism, light and modern physics are investigated through lecture demonstration, simulations and laboratory work. This course is designed for engineering students and science majors.

Prerequisites

(A requirement that must be completed before taking this course.)

Course Competencies

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Analyze the thermodynamic efficiency of various engine cycles.
• Analyze thermodynamic processes using the first law of thermodynamics and the ideal gas law.
• Evaluate the electric force between point charges.
• Evaluate the electric field at a distance from a charged object.
• Sketch both electric field lines and equipotential lines around charged objects.
• Analyze the motion of a charge in terms of the electric field it encounters.
• Evaluate the electric potential at a distance from a charged object.
• Analyze the motion of a charge in terms of the electric potential it encounters.
• Analyze properties of simple AC and DC circuits.
• Relate the magnetic force on a moving charge to the magnetic field it encounters.
• Sketch the magnetic field near a current carrying wire.
• Evaluate the magnetic field at a distance from a current carrying wire.
• Relate the acceleration of charge to electromagnetic waves.
• Analyze the image formed by a system of lenses and/or mirrors.
• Use the principle of superposition to explain interference and diffraction effects for electromagnetic waves.
• Assign the appropriate SI unit to a physical characteristic.
• Use significant figures when reporting calculated values.
• Use a digital multimeter to measure current, voltage and resistance.
• Use DataStudio for data acquisition.
• Develop data tables and graphs to portray the results of experimental data collection.
• Use curve fitting to analyze data.
• Identify sources of experimental error.
• Develop a conclusion based on analysis of experimental data.

Course Schedule