PHY 112: General Physics Syllabus Overview and Study Guide

Course Overview

Course Description

PHY 112 is the second part of a two-semester sequence in introductory physics, focusing on electricity and magnetism. The course covers the fundamentals of Coulomb's law, electric fields, electric potential, circuits, and magnetism, including Ampère's and Faraday's laws. Students will learn to analyze physical systems using mathematical models and scientific reasoning, with applications in both biological and physical sciences.

• Key Topics: Electric charge, electric fields, electric potential, capacitance, current, resistance, circuits, magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction.

• Learning Outcomes: Students will develop an understanding of core concepts in electricity and magnetism, apply scientific reasoning, and communicate findings effectively.

General Physics Topics

Electric Charge and Electric Field

This topic introduces the concept of electric charge and the forces between charged particles, as well as the electric field as a way to describe the influence of charges in space.

• Electric Charge: A fundamental property of matter that causes it to experience a force in an electric field. There are two types: positive and negative.

• Coulomb's Law: Describes the force between two point charges: $F = k_e \frac{|q_1 q_2|}{r^2}$ where $F$ is the force, $k_e$ is Coulomb's constant, $q_1$ and $q_2$ are the charges, and $r$ is the distance between them.

• Electric Field ($\vec{E}$): The region around a charged object where other charges experience a force: $\vec{E} = \frac{\vec{F}}{q}$

• Example: The electric field near a point charge $q$ at distance $r$ is $E = k_e \frac{|q|}{r^2}$.

Electric Potential and Capacitance

Electric potential describes the energy per unit charge at a point in space, while capacitance measures a system's ability to store electric charge.

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

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

• Example: A parallel plate capacitor has capacitance $C = \varepsilon_0 \frac{A}{d}$, where $A$ is the area and $d$ is the separation.

Current, Resistance, and Circuits

This section covers the flow of electric charge (current), opposition to flow (resistance), and the analysis of electric circuits.

• Electric Current ($I$): The rate of flow of charge: $I = \frac{\Delta Q}{\Delta t}$

• Resistance ($R$): The opposition to current flow: $R = \frac{V}{I}$

• Ohm's Law: Relates voltage, current, and resistance: $V = IR$

• Example: In a simple circuit with a battery and resistor, the current is $I = \frac{V}{R}$.

Magnetic Fields and Magnetic Forces

Magnetic fields arise from moving charges and currents, and exert forces on other moving charges and currents.

• Magnetic Field ($\vec{B}$): A vector field produced by moving charges or currents.

• Force on a Moving Charge: $\vec{F} = q\vec{v} \times \vec{B}$

• Right-Hand Rule: Used to determine the direction of the force on a positive charge.

• Example: A current-carrying wire in a magnetic field experiences a force $\vec{F} = I\vec{L} \times \vec{B}$.

Electromagnetic Induction

Changing magnetic fields induce electric currents, as described by Faraday's Law and Lenz's Law.

• Faraday's Law: The induced emf in a circuit is proportional to the rate of change of magnetic flux: $\mathcal{E} = -\frac{d\Phi_B}{dt}$

• Lenz's Law: The direction of induced current opposes the change in magnetic flux.

• Example: Moving a magnet through a coil induces a current in the coil.

Course Structure and Requirements

Assignments and Assessments

The syllabus includes regular homework assignments, reading quizzes, exams, and opportunities for extra credit. Students are expected to submit work by specified deadlines and participate in online discussions and activities.

• Homework: Based on textbook chapters and online resources.

• Exams: Assess understanding of key concepts and problem-solving skills.

• Extra Credit: Optional assignments for additional practice and mastery.

Scientific Thinking Skills

Students are expected to develop and demonstrate scientific thinking, including the ability to analyze data, create models, and communicate arguments based on evidence.

• Analyze scientific data using quantitative methods.

• Assess the validity of scientific claims from biological or physical sciences.

• Create models to explain observable phenomena.

• Communicate arguments using evidence from qualitative or quantitative sources.

Course Schedule (Sample Table)

The following table summarizes the types of assignments and their due dates as outlined in the syllabus.

Date	Assignment	Due
Wed Oct 23, 2025	Introduction to MasteringPhysics, Success Plan, Honors Form	by 11:59pm
Mon Nov 4, 2025	Homework #01 (Pearson Chapter 17), Homework #02 (Pearson Chapter 18), Optional Extra Credit, Reading (OpenStax Chapter 18)	by 11:59pm
Mon Dec 1, 2025	Homework #05 (Pearson Chapter 22), Optional Extra Credit, Reading (OpenStax Chapter 22)	by 11:59pm
Thu Dec 4, 2025	Unit Test #3	by 11:59pm
Mon Dec 8, 2025	Final Exam, Show Your Work, Homework #10	by 11:59pm

Instructor and Support Information

• Instructor: Julia Doidge (contact via email and Zoom)

• Teaching Assistant: Johan Bruce (contact via email and Zoom)

• Support: Technical support, student success resources, and academic integrity policies are available through Canvas links.

Additional info:

• This syllabus covers topics directly relevant to the chapters listed for a college-level physics course, especially electricity and magnetism (Chapters 17-22).

• Students are expected to engage with both theoretical concepts and practical problem-solving.