General Physics II (PHYS 1420) Syllabus and Topic Overview – Electricity, Magnetism, Optics, and Modern Physics

Course Overview

This course, General Physics II (PHYS 1420), is a non-calculus-based physics sequence designed for life sciences majors and preprofessional students. It surveys major areas of classical and modern physics, focusing on electricity, magnetism, optics, and introductory atomic and nuclear physics. The course emphasizes conceptual understanding, problem-solving, and real-world applications.

Major Learning Objectives

• Apply prior knowledge (including math skills and concepts from Physics I) to new topics: electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics.

• Understand the behavior of light, including interference, reflection, and refraction, with applications such as lenses, mirrors, and thin films.

• Solve problems involving electric force, field, potential, and potential energy, including applications such as circuits with resistors and capacitors.

• Solve problems involving magnetic force, field, and flux, including varying magnetic fields and induced current, with applications such as mass spectrometers and generators.

• Understand atomic properties that explain electron transitions, radioactive decay, ionizing radiation, and applications such as lasers, spectroscopy, and radioactive dating.

Core Physics Topics and Schedule

Week	Topics	Relevant Chapters
1	Properties of Waves; Math Review; Light and Optics	Ch 15, 17, 18
2	Optics; Vision	Ch 18, 19
3	Interference	Ch 17
4	Electric Charges and Force	Ch 20
5	Electric Field and Potential; Electric Potential Energy	Ch 20, 21
6	Capacitors; Ohm's Law; Capacitors in Circuits	Ch 21, 22, 23
7	DC Circuits	Ch 23
8	Complex Circuits; AC Circuits; Magnetic Fields and Force	Ch 23, 26, 24
9-10	Magnets and Magnetic Fields; Magnetic Flux and Induced Current; EM Induction Applications	Ch 24, 25
11-12	Topics in Atomic Physics	Ch 28, 29
13-14	Nuclear Physics; Ionizing Radiation; Nuclear Power	Ch 30

Key Physics Topics and Concepts

Optics and Wave Phenomena

• Wave Properties: Study of periodic motion, wavelength, frequency, and speed of waves.

• Light as a Wave: Understanding interference, diffraction, and polarization.

• Reflection and Refraction: Laws governing the behavior of light at boundaries between media.

• Optical Instruments: Application of lenses and mirrors in devices such as microscopes and telescopes.

• Key Equations:

  • Snell's Law: $n_1 \sin \theta_1 = n_2 \sin \theta_2$

  • Lens Equation: $\frac{1}{f} = \frac{1}{d_o} + \frac{1}{d_i}$

  • Double-Slit Interference: $d \sin \theta = m \lambda$

Electricity

• Electric Charge and Force: Coulomb's Law describes the force between two point charges.

• Electric Field and Potential: The electric field is the force per unit charge; potential is the energy per unit charge.

• Capacitance: The ability of a system to store electric charge.

• Circuits: Analysis of series and parallel resistor and capacitor networks; Ohm's Law relates voltage, current, and resistance.

• Key Equations:

  • Coulomb's Law: $F = k_e \frac{|q_1 q_2|}{r^2}$

  • Electric Field: $\vec{E} = \frac{\vec{F}}{q}$

  • Electric Potential: $V = \frac{U}{q}$

  • Ohm's Law: $V = IR$

  • Capacitance: $C = \frac{Q}{V}$

Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction

• Magnetic Fields and Forces: Moving charges experience forces in magnetic fields; right-hand rule applies.

• Electromagnetic Induction: Changing magnetic flux induces an electromotive force (EMF).

• Applications: Mass spectrometers, electric generators, transformers.

• Key Equations:

  • Magnetic Force: $\vec{F} = q\vec{v} \times \vec{B}$

  • Faraday's Law: $\mathcal{E} = -\frac{d\Phi_B}{dt}$

  • Magnetic Flux: $\Phi_B = \int \vec{B} \cdot d\vec{A}$

Modern Physics: Atomic and Nuclear Physics

• Atomic Structure: Electron transitions, energy levels, and photon emission/absorption.

• Radioactivity: Types of decay (alpha, beta, gamma), half-life, and radioactive dating.

• Ionizing Radiation: Effects and applications in medicine and energy production.

• Nuclear Power: Fission, fusion, and their roles in energy generation.

• Key Equations:

  • Energy of a Photon: $E = h\nu$

  • Radioactive Decay Law: $N = N_0 e^{-\lambda t}$

  • Mass-Energy Equivalence: $E = mc^2$

Assessment Structure

Component	Weight
At Home Preparation and Practice	25%
Recitation	20%
Exams (4 unit exams, lowest counts 10%, others 15%)	55%

Letter grades are assigned based on total percentage, with no rounding up at grade boundaries. Extra credit is available through in-class practice and reflection activities.

Course Materials and Support

• Textbook: College Physics by Knight (Pearson platform access required).

• Calculator: Required for exams and assignments.

• Online Resources: Canvas for assignments, announcements, and supplementary materials.

• Support: Instructor and TA office hours, free tutoring, and Learning Center resources.

Additional Info

• Attendance and participation are expected for success in the course.

• Reasonable accommodations are available for students with disabilities through the Office of Disability Access.

• Projects and extra credit opportunities are designed to connect physics to real-world applications and diverse scientific contributions.