PHY 131: University Physics II – Electromagnetism (Syllabus & Study Guide)

Course Overview

Introduction to Electromagnetism

University Physics II (PHY 131) is a foundational course in electromagnetism for science and engineering majors. The course covers electric forces and fields, electric potential and voltage, Gauss's law, capacitance, DC and AC circuits, magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, and Maxwell's equations. Students will learn both theoretical concepts and practical applications relevant to modern physics and engineering.

• Prerequisites: University Physics I (PHY 121), Calculus I (MAT 265 or MAT 270), and Calculus II (MAT 266 or MAT 271) with a grade of C or better.

• Corequisites: Calculus III (MAT 267 or MAT 272) with a grade of C or better.

Course Topics & Learning Objectives

Major Topics Covered

• Electric Charge and Electric Field

• Electric Potential and Voltage

• Gauss's Law

• Capacitance and Dielectrics

• Current, Resistance, and EMF

• DC Circuits

• Magnetic Field and Magnetic Forces

• Sources of Magnetic Field

• Electromagnetic Induction

• Inductance

• Alternating Current Circuits

• Maxwell's Equations

• Electromagnetic Waves

Learning Outcomes

• Understand electric and magnetic fields and how they produce electric and magnetic effects.

• Determine fields for different configurations of charges and currents.

• Distinguish between charges and currents and compute field and potential (voltage).

• Analyze energy associated with different fields.

• Understand the physical principles of circuits such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors.

• Apply concepts of charge, current, and voltage in DC and AC circuits constructed from these elements.

• Understand energy transfer among these elements.

• Know Maxwell's equations describing electromagnetic phenomena.

• Gain an introductory understanding of electromagnetic waves.

Course Schedule (Selected Topics)

Date	Lesson	Reading
Aug 21	Coulomb's Law; Electric Field; Charge in an Electric Field	2.1 – 2.4
Aug 26	Electric Dipoles; Electric Potential Energy; Electric Potential	2.17, 3.1 – 3.2
Aug 28	Electric Field Lines; Potential from Electric Field	3.3 – 3.4
Sept 2	Potential Gradient; Equipotential Surfaces; E-Field and Potential in Conductors	3.4 – 3.5
Sept 4	Capacitance; Electric Field and Electric Potential	2.15, 3.23
Sept 9	Electric Flux and Gauss's Law	2.21 – 3

Additional info: The schedule continues with topics such as DC circuits, magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, and Maxwell's equations, as indicated in the full syllabus.

Key Concepts and Definitions

Electric Charge and Coulomb's Law

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

• Coulomb's Law: The force between two point charges is given by:

$F = k_e \frac{|q_1 q_2|}{r^2}$

• 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

The electric field at a point in space is defined as the force per unit charge experienced by a small positive test charge placed at that point.

$\vec{E} = \frac{\vec{F}}{q}$

• Direction of the field is away from positive charges and toward negative charges.

Electric Potential and Voltage

Electric potential is the potential energy per unit charge at a point in an electric field. Voltage is the difference in electric potential between two points.

$V = \frac{U}{q}$

• Where $U$ is electric potential energy and $q$ is charge.

Gauss's Law

Gauss's Law relates the electric flux through a closed surface to the charge enclosed by that surface.

$\oint \vec{E} \cdot d\vec{A} = \frac{Q_{enc}}{\varepsilon_0}$

• Useful for calculating electric fields of symmetric charge distributions.

Capacitance

Capacitance is the ability of a system to store electric charge per unit voltage.

$C = \frac{Q}{V}$

• Where $C$ is capacitance, $Q$ is charge, and $V$ is voltage.

Current, Resistance, and EMF

• Current ($I$): The rate of flow of electric charge.

• Resistance ($R$): The opposition to the flow of current.

• Electromotive Force (EMF): The energy provided per charge by a source.

$I = \frac{V}{R}$

Magnetic Field and Forces

Magnetic field is a vector field that exerts a force on moving charges and magnetic dipoles.

$\vec{F} = q\vec{v} \times \vec{B}$

• Where $\vec{F}$ is the force, $q$ is charge, $\vec{v}$ is velocity, and $\vec{B}$ is magnetic field.

Maxwell's Equations

Maxwell's equations summarize the fundamental laws of electricity and magnetism:

• Gauss's Law for Electricity

• Gauss's Law for Magnetism

• Faraday's Law of Induction

• Ampère's Law (with Maxwell's addition)

Additional info: These equations describe how electric and magnetic fields are generated and altered by charges and currents, and how they propagate as electromagnetic waves.

Grading Scheme

Course Work	Weight
Midterm Exams	45%
Final Exam	25%
Homework Assignments	20%
Recitation Performance	10%
In Class Participation	5%

Grade Scale

Grade	Percentage
A+	98 – 100%
A	94 – 97%
A-	90 – 93%
B+	87 – 89%
B	84 – 86%
B-	80 – 83%
C+	76 – 79%
C	70 – 75%
D	60 – 69%
E	Below 60%

Course Policies & Resources

• Attendance: Required for exams and recitations.

• Homework: Assignments must be submitted on time; late homework may not be accepted.

• Academic Integrity: Cheating, plagiarism, and other violations are subject to university disciplinary action.

• Disability Services: Accommodations available through the Disability Resource Center.

• Student Conduct: All students must comply with university policies and codes of conduct.

Example Application

Example: Calculating the electric field due to a point charge at a distance $r$:

$E = k_e \frac{|q|}{r^2}$

This formula is used to determine the strength and direction of the electric field at any point in space due to a single charge.

Additional info: For more detailed study, students should refer to the assigned textbook readings and complete all homework and recitation problems as scheduled.