General Physics II (PHYS102) - Syllabus and Study Guide

General Physics II (PHYS102) - Syllabus Overview

Course Description

This course is a continuation of General Physics I, focusing on topics in waves, thermodynamics, electricity, and magnetism. It is designed for engineering students and covers both theoretical concepts and practical laboratory applications. The course aims to develop a strong foundation in the physical principles underlying modern technology and engineering systems.

Course Objectives

• Understand the concepts of waves (mechanical and electromagnetic), sound, and resonance.

• Comprehend the laws of thermodynamics and their applications to physical systems.

• Analyze the behavior of electric charges, electric fields, and electric potential.

• Apply the principles of current, resistance, and circuits, including Ohm's Law and Kirchhoff's Laws.

• Explore the properties of capacitors, inductors, and the storage of energy in electric and magnetic fields.

• Investigate electromagnetic induction, alternating current (AC) circuits, and electromagnetic waves.

• Develop laboratory skills in measurement, data analysis, and scientific reporting.

Course Topics and Weekly Outline

Week	Topic	Relevant Chapters
1-2	Oscillatory Motion and Waves Transverse and Longitudinal Waves Sound Waves	Ch. 15, 16, 17
3-4	Superposition and Interference Doppler Effect	Ch. 17
5-6	Temperature and Heat Thermal Expansion Heat Transfer	Ch. 18, 19
7-8	First Law of Thermodynamics Second Law of Thermodynamics	Ch. 19, 20
9-10	Electric Charge and Coulomb's Law Electric Fields and Electric Potential	Ch. 21, 22, 23, 24
11-12	Capacitance and Dielectrics Energy Storage in Capacitors	Ch. 25
13-14	Current, Resistance, and Ohm's Law DC Circuits and Kirchhoff's Laws	Ch. 26, 27
15-16	Magnetic Forces and Fields Electromagnetic Induction AC Circuits	Ch. 28, 29, 30, 31
17-18	Electromagnetic Waves Reflection and Refraction	Ch. 33

Key Concepts and Definitions

Oscillatory Motion and Waves

• Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM): Motion where the restoring force is proportional to displacement and acts in the opposite direction. The general equation is: $F = -kx$

• Wave: A disturbance that transfers energy from one place to another without transferring matter. Waves can be classified as mechanical (require a medium) or electromagnetic (do not require a medium).

• Transverse Wave: Particles of the medium move perpendicular to the direction of wave propagation (e.g., light waves).

• Longitudinal Wave: Particles of the medium move parallel to the direction of wave propagation (e.g., sound waves).

• Wave Equation: $v = f \lambda$ where $v$ is the wave speed, $f$ is the frequency, and $\lambda$ is the wavelength.

Sound Waves and the Doppler Effect

• Sound Wave: A longitudinal mechanical wave that propagates through a medium (solid, liquid, or gas).

• Doppler Effect: The change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer moving relative to the source of the wave. Equation for observed frequency: $f' = f \left( \frac{v + v_o}{v - v_s} \right)$ where $v$ is the speed of sound, $v_o$ is the observer's velocity, and $v_s$ is the source's velocity.

Thermodynamics

• Temperature: A measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a substance.

• Heat: Energy transferred between objects due to a temperature difference.

• First Law of Thermodynamics: The change in internal energy of a system is equal to the heat added to the system minus the work done by the system. $\Delta U = Q - W$

• Second Law of Thermodynamics: The entropy of an isolated system never decreases; heat cannot spontaneously flow from a colder body to a hotter body.

Electricity and Magnetism

• Electric Charge: A fundamental property of matter that causes it to experience a force in an electric field. Measured in coulombs (C).

• Coulomb's Law: The force between two point charges is proportional to the product of their charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. $F = k_e \frac{|q_1 q_2|}{r^2}$

• Electric Field (E): The force per unit charge experienced by a small positive test charge placed in the field. $E = \frac{F}{q}$

• Electric Potential (V): The work done per unit charge in bringing a charge from infinity to a point in space. $V = \frac{U}{q}$

• Capacitance (C): The ability of a system to store electric charge per unit potential difference. $C = \frac{Q}{V}$

• Ohm's Law: The current through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage across the two points. $V = IR$

• Kirchhoff's Laws:

  • Junction Rule: The sum of currents entering a junction equals the sum of currents leaving.

  • Loop Rule: The sum of the potential differences around any closed loop is zero.

• Magnetic Field (B): A region where a magnetic force can be detected; produced by moving charges or magnetic materials.

• Electromagnetic Induction: The process of generating an electromotive force (emf) by changing the magnetic flux through a circuit. $\varepsilon = -\frac{d\Phi_B}{dt}$

Electromagnetic Waves

• Electromagnetic Wave: A wave consisting of oscillating electric and magnetic fields that propagate through space at the speed of light.

• Speed of Light: $c = 3.00 \times 10^8 \text{ m/s}$

• Reflection and Refraction: The change in direction of a wave at a boundary between two different media (reflection: bouncing back; refraction: bending as it passes through).

• Snell's Law: $n_1 \sin \theta_1 = n_2 \sin \theta_2$ where $n$ is the refractive index and $\theta$ is the angle with respect to the normal.

Assessment Overview

Assessment	Weight
Homework	10%
Quizzes	10%
Lab Reports	10%
Midterm Exam	20%
Final Exam	30%
Other (Projects, Participation, etc.)	20%

Recommended Textbook

• Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday, Resnick, and Walker, 10th Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. (2014).

Additional info:

• This syllabus covers the majority of topics listed in the standard college physics curriculum, including waves, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and electromagnetic waves.

• Students are expected to participate in laboratory sessions to reinforce theoretical concepts with practical experiments.