PHYS 102.1x: Electricity and Magnetism

Course Description

PHYS 102.1x is an exciting and comprehensive introduction to electricity and magnetism, designed as the second semester of a standard college physics sequence. This course offers a deep dive into the fundamental principles that govern electrical and magnetic phenomena, providing students with a solid foundation in this crucial area of physics.

What Students Will Learn

1. Understanding of electric charge in matter and the forces between charges
2. Comprehension of electric fields and Gauss's Law
3. Knowledge of electric potential and its applications
4. Introduction to electric current and resistance
5. Analysis of DC circuits, including time-dependent behavior with resistors and capacitors
6. Application of theoretical concepts to practical problems through homework and conceptual lecture problems

Prerequisites

1. Familiarity with vectors
2. Ability to calculate integrals
3. Basic knowledge of introductory mechanics
4. Some background in calculus

While these topics will be briefly reviewed as needed, students without prior exposure may need to invest extra study time to keep up with the course material.

Course Coverage

• Electric charge in matter
• Forces between charges
• Electric fields
• Gauss's Law
• Electric potential
• Electric current and resistance
• DC circuits
• Time-dependent behavior with resistors and capacitors

Target Audience

This course is ideal for college students majoring in physics, engineering, or related fields, as well as science enthusiasts looking to deepen their understanding of electricity and magnetism. It's also suitable for professionals in technical fields seeking to refresh or expand their knowledge of these fundamental concepts.

Real-World Applications

The principles of electricity and magnetism covered in this course are fundamental to numerous real-world applications. Students will be equipped to:

1. Understand and design electrical circuits for various applications
2. Analyze and troubleshoot electrical systems
3. Contribute to the development of electronic devices and power systems
4. Apply physical principles to solve engineering problems
5. Pursue advanced studies in physics, electrical engineering, or related fields
6. Develop a deeper appreciation for the technological world around them

Course Structure

The course is structured into 5 weekly learning sequences, each containing:

• Approximately 1.5 hours of video lectures
• Conceptual lecture problems
• Online homework questions

The 6th week is dedicated to an online exam that assesses the student's understanding of the course material.

Note: While no specific textbook is required, students are encouraged to refer to any recent freshman physics textbook. Reading assignments will be provided by topic, including links to several free online physics resources.