Physics 2051: General Physics II – Oscillations, Waves, and Electromagnetism (Syllabus and Study Guide)

Course Overview

This course, Physics 2051: General Physics II, covers foundational topics in oscillations, waves, and electromagnetism. It is designed for students who have completed introductory physics and prepares them for advanced studies in physical sciences and engineering. The course is structured into three main parts, each focusing on key concepts and applications in physics.

Course Structure and Main Topics

Part 1: Waves, Electric Charge, and Electric Field

• Oscillatory Motion Review (Chapter 14)

• Mechanical Waves (Chapter 15.1-15.8)

• Sound Waves (Chapter 16.1-16.7)

• Electric Charge and Electric Field (Chapter 21.1-21.7)

• Gauss’ Law (Chapter 22.1-22.5)

Part 2: Electric Potential and Electric Current

• Electric Potential (Chapter 23.1-23.5)

• Capacitance and Dielectrics (Chapter 24.1-24.4)

• Current, Resistance, and Electromotive Force (Chapter 25.1-25.6)

• Direct-Current Circuits (Chapter 26.1, 26.2, 26.4)

Part 3: Magnetic Field

• Magnetic Field and Magnetic Forces (Chapter 27.1-27.9)

• Sources of Magnetic Field (Chapter 28.1-28.7)

• Electromagnetic Induction (Chapter 29.1-29.7)

• Inductance (Chapter 30.1-30.6)

Detailed Topic Guide

Oscillatory Motion (Chapter 14)

Oscillatory motion refers to any motion that repeats itself in a regular cycle, such as a mass on a spring or a pendulum.

• Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM): Motion where the restoring force is proportional to displacement and directed toward equilibrium.

• Key Equation: $x(t) = A \cos(\omega t + \phi)$

• Period and Frequency: $T = \frac{2\pi}{\omega}$, $f = \frac{1}{T}$

• Example: A mass attached to a spring oscillates with a period determined by the mass and spring constant: $T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}$

Mechanical Waves (Chapter 15)

Mechanical waves are disturbances that travel through a medium, transferring energy without transferring matter.

• Types: Transverse (e.g., waves on a string) and longitudinal (e.g., sound waves in air).

• Wave Equation: $v = f \lambda$

• Superposition Principle: When two or more waves overlap, the resultant displacement is the sum of the individual displacements.

• Example: Standing waves on a string fixed at both ends.

Sound Waves (Chapter 16)

Sound waves are longitudinal mechanical waves that propagate through gases, liquids, and solids.

• Speed of Sound: Depends on the medium; in air at 20°C, $v \approx 343$ m/s.

• Intensity and Decibel Level: $I = \frac{P}{A}$, $L = 10 \log_{10}\left(\frac{I}{I_0}\right)$

• Resonance: Occurs when a system is driven at its natural frequency, leading to large amplitude oscillations.

• Example: Resonance in air columns (e.g., organ pipes).

Electric Charge and Electric Field (Chapter 21)

Electric charge is a fundamental property of matter that causes it to experience a force in an electric field.

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

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

• Field of a Point Charge: $\vec{E} = k_e \frac{q}{r^2} \hat{r}$

• Example: Calculating the electric field at a point due to multiple charges using vector addition.

Gauss’s Law (Chapter 22)

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

• Gauss’s Law: $\Phi_E = \oint \vec{E} \cdot d\vec{A} = \frac{Q_{\text{enc}}}{\varepsilon_0}$

• Applications: Calculating electric fields for symmetric charge distributions (spheres, cylinders, planes).

• Example: Electric field outside a uniformly charged sphere.

Electric Potential (Chapter 23)

Electric potential is the potential energy per unit charge at a point in an electric field.

• Potential Difference: $V = -\int_{a}^{b} \vec{E} \cdot d\vec{l}$

• Relation to Electric Field: The electric field is the negative gradient of the potential.

• Example: Potential due to a point charge: $V = k_e \frac{q}{r}$

Capacitance and Dielectrics (Chapter 24)

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

• Capacitance: $C = \frac{Q}{V}$

• Parallel Plate Capacitor: $C = \varepsilon_0 \frac{A}{d}$

• Dielectrics: Materials that increase capacitance by reducing the effective electric field.

• Example: Inserting a dielectric increases the capacitance by a factor of the dielectric constant $\kappa$.

Current, Resistance, and Electromotive Force (Chapter 25)

Electric current is the flow of electric charge, resistance opposes this flow, and electromotive force (emf) is the energy provided per unit charge.

• Current: $I = \frac{dQ}{dt}$

• Ohm’s Law: $V = IR$

• Resistivity: $R = \rho \frac{L}{A}$

• Example: Calculating the resistance of a wire given its length, area, and material.

Direct-Current Circuits (Chapter 26)

DC circuits involve currents that flow in one direction, typically analyzed using Kirchhoff’s laws.

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

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

• Example: Analyzing a circuit with multiple resistors and batteries.

Magnetic Field and Magnetic Forces (Chapter 27)

Magnetic fields are produced by moving charges and exert forces on other moving charges or currents.

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

• Force on a Current-Carrying Wire: $\vec{F} = I\vec{L} \times \vec{B}$

• Right-Hand Rule: Used to determine the direction of force, field, or current.

• Example: Calculating the force on a wire in a uniform magnetic field.

Sources of Magnetic Field (Chapter 28)

Magnetic fields are generated by electric currents and changing electric fields.

• Biot-Savart Law: $d\vec{B} = \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi} \frac{I d\vec{l} \times \hat{r}}{r^2}$

• Ampère’s Law: $\oint \vec{B} \cdot d\vec{l} = \mu_0 I_{\text{enc}}$

• Example: Magnetic field inside a solenoid: $B = \mu_0 n I$

Electromagnetic Induction (Chapter 29)

Changing magnetic fields induce electric currents, described by Faraday’s Law of Induction.

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

• Lenz’s Law: The induced emf generates a current whose magnetic field opposes the change in flux.

• Example: Induced emf in a loop moving through a magnetic field.

Inductance (Chapter 30)

Inductance is the property of a circuit or component that opposes changes in current.

• Self-Inductance: $\mathcal{E}_L = -L \frac{dI}{dt}$

• Inductance of a Solenoid: $L = \mu_0 n^2 A l$

• Example: RL circuit time constant: $\tau = \frac{L}{R}$

Laboratory Schedule and Experiments

Week	Lab	Tests
Jan 5 – 9	Free period (no labs)
Jan 12 – 16	Lab Introduction
Jan 19 – 23	Experiment 1: Standing Waves
Jan 26 – 30	Experiment 2: Sound and Resonance
Feb 2 – 6	Problem Session 1
Feb 9 – 13	Experiment 3: Electric Field and Potential	Term Test 1: Feb 13
Feb 16 – 20	Experiment 4: Kirchhoff’s Laws & Circuit Analysis
Feb 23 – 27	Break Week (no labs or classes)
Mar 2 – 6	Problem Session 1
Mar 9 – 13	Experiment 5: RC Circuits	Term Test 2: Mar 13
Mar 16 – 20	Experiment 6: DC Motor
Mar 23 – 27	Free period (no labs)
Mar 30 – Apr 3	Problem session 3 (Apr 1st and 2nd only)
Apr 6 – 10	Problem session 3 (Apr 6th, 7th, and 8th only)

Course Evaluation

Component	Weight
Labs	15%
Homework Assignments	5%
Midterm Test 1	15%
Midterm Test 2	15%
Final Exam	50%

Additional Information

• Textbook: H.D. Young and R.A. Freedman, University Physics with Modern Physics, 15th edition.

• Assignments: Administered via Mastering Physics, due every Friday evening.

• Lab Attendance: Mandatory; minimum 50% in labs required to pass.

• Missed Assessments: Policies for missed tests and labs require prompt communication and, in some cases, documentation.

• Accessibility: Accommodations available through the Glenn Roy Blundon Centre.

• Academic Integrity: Students must adhere to university policies regarding academic conduct.

Note: For detailed policies, lab instructions, and updates, refer to the course Brightspace page and the University Calendar.