Course Overview

This schedule outlines the weekly topics, laboratory activities, and important due dates for PHYS202: General Physics II. The course covers advanced topics in physics with calculus, including electricity, magnetism, optics, and thermodynamics. The structure includes lectures, labs, homework assignments, quizzes, and exams, providing a comprehensive approach to learning fundamental physical principles.

Weekly Topics and Laboratory Schedule

Key Topics and Concepts

Electric Fields and Electric Potential

These foundational concepts in electromagnetism describe how electric charges interact and how energy is stored and transferred in electric fields.

• Electric Field (\( \vec{E} \)): A vector field representing the force per unit charge exerted on a test charge at any point in space.

• Electric Potential (\( V \)): The electric potential energy per unit charge at a point in space, related to the work done by electric forces.

• Key Equation: $

• Applications: Capacitors, energy storage, and understanding electric circuits.

Circuits and Ohm’s Law

Analysis of electric circuits involves understanding current, voltage, resistance, and the relationships between them.

• Ohm’s Law: Relates voltage (\( V \)), current (\( I \)), and resistance (\( R \)) in a conductor.

• Key Equation: $

• Applications: Designing and analyzing electrical networks, measuring resistance and current.

Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction

Magnetic fields arise from moving charges and currents, and changing magnetic fields induce electric currents (Faraday’s Law).

• Magnetic Field (\( \vec{B} \)): A vector field representing the influence of magnetic forces.

• Faraday’s Law of Induction: A changing magnetic flux through a loop induces an electromotive force (emf).

• Key Equation: $ where \( \Phi_B \) is the magnetic flux.

• Applications: Electric generators, transformers, and inductors.

Optics: Reflection, Refraction, and Interference

Optics explores the behavior of light, including how it reflects, refracts, and interferes.

• Snell’s Law: Describes the refraction of light at the interface between two media.

• Key Equation: $ where \( n \) is the index of refraction and \( \theta \) is the angle with respect to the normal.

• Interference: The phenomenon where two or more waves superpose to form a resultant wave of greater or lower amplitude.

• Applications: Lenses, mirrors, optical instruments, and diffraction patterns.

Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics deals with heat, work, and the laws governing energy transfer.

• First Law of Thermodynamics: Energy conservation in thermodynamic processes.

• Key Equation: $ where \( \Delta U \) is the change in internal energy, \( Q \) is heat added, and \( W \) is work done by the system.

• Applications: Engines, refrigerators, and understanding energy efficiency.

Assessment and Important Dates

• Homework Assignments: Due weekly, reinforcing lecture and lab material.

• Quizzes: Periodic quizzes test understanding of recent topics.

• Exams: Three midterm exams and a comprehensive final exam.

• Lab Reports: Required for each laboratory session, focusing on experimental analysis and application of theory.

Summary Table of Major Exams and Deadlines

Additional info:

• This schedule provides a logical progression through the core topics of calculus-based physics, aligning with standard college-level curricula.

• Students are expected to prepare for each lab by reviewing relevant theory and completing pre-lab assignments as directed by the instructor.