DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY -- (202) 806-6245 (main office), -5830 (fax)

General Physics 2 (PHYS-002, CRN: 51039, 51040)

[Topics][Daily Schedule][Assignments][e-Gear][Welcome]

Textbook (required): James S. Walker (3rd ed.)
--- and several other sources, as given in class and available on-line.

This is the second of two parts of a course the aim of which is to provide a comprehensive introduction to the scientific description of Nature. This second part will cover: electromagnetic forces, fields, and waves (including light and its study, optics), electric current and circuits, and an introduction to modern physics: special relativity, quantum mechanics and their applications to atomic and nuclear physics and radiation. Conceptual understanding rather than technical mastery is emphasized, although problem-solving skills will also developed.

A successful student is expected to demonstrate a conceptual understanding of the fundamental principles of physics, but also to demonstrate-and maintain-the ability to solve practical problems involving physics phenomena.

Topical schedule:

1. Electric Forces, Fields, Energy (Potential) and Circuits: §19-21
2. Magnetic Forces and Fields, Electromagnetic Induction and A/C Circuits:§22-24
3. Electromagnetic Waves, Light and its Reflection, Refraction and Interference:§25-28
4. Special Relativity:§29
5. Quantum Physics:§30
6. Atomic and Nuclear Physics, and Radiation:§31–32

Day-to-day schedule: Students are required to read ahead (except for day 1)

06/29: Electric Forces and Fields, §19
06/30: Electric Potential Energy and Potential, §20 [HW1-Ch.19 due]
07/01: Electric Currents, §21
07/02: Lab 1
07/03: Independence Day Observed — Legal Holiday
07/06: Review and Weekly Test #1 (§19 - 21) 9:00–11:00 am [[HW2-Ch.20, HW3-Ch.21 due]
(LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM THE COURSE)
07/07: Magnetic Forces and Fields, §22
07/08: Magnetic Flux and Induction, §23
07/09: Alternating Current Circuits, §24
07/10: Lab 2
07/13: Review and Weekly Test #2 (§22 - 24) 9:00–11:00 am [HW4-Ch.22, HW5-Ch.23, HW6-Ch.24 due]
07/14: Electromagnetic Waves, §25
07/15: Reflection of Light, §26
07/16: Refraction of Light and the Human Eye, §26–27
07/17: Lab 3
07/20: Review and Weekly Test #3 (§25 - 27) 9:00–11:00 am [HW7-Ch.25, HW8-Ch.26, HW9-Ch.26+27 due]
07/21: Interference and Wave Nature of Light, §28
07/22: Special Relativity, §29
07/23: Quantum Physics, §30
07/24: Lab 4
07/27: Review and Weekly Test #4 (§28- 30) 9:00–11:00 am [HW10-Ch.28, HW11-Ch.29, HW12-Ch.30]
07/28: Atomic Physics, §31
07/29: Nuclear Physics and Radiation, §32 [HW13-Ch.31 due]
07/31: Final (Comprehensive, with §31 - 32) Exam: 9:00–11:00 am [HW14-Ch.32 due]

All assignments refer to end-of-section problems (not “examples”, not “conceptual questions”, not “conceptual exercises”!) as given in the text. See also homework solution suggestions.

All homework assignments are due at the weekly exam after the corresponding chapters have been covered in class. Late homework will not be accepted, except in cases of proven emergency. Show your work/calculation/justification; mere numerical answers will warrant no credit. It is recommended tha the students team-up for group-study, ideal for working on the homework problems.In addition, you are strongly recommended to:

1. follow through as many worked examples as you can;
2. attempt to answer as many conceptual questions as you can;
3. work out as many end-of-section problems, additional problems and group problems as you can;
4. use as many on-line examples as you can;
5. discuss as many as possible of these with your colleagues in class.

Lab instructor: TBA

A separate lab syllabus will be distributed at the first lab session, on 07/11/08. The lab manuals are available on-line (you will need a PDF file viewer such as Adobe Acrobat Reader).

Collaboration and resource policy Collaboration -- but not blind copying -- on the homework assignments is strongly encouraged; students should use this to learn from each other. All exams and tests are closed-text and closed-notes multiple-choice tests; no collaboration is allowed on these; by submitting the exams and tests, the student agrees to have abided by this policy. Violation of this policy is covered under the University regulations on academic dishonesty and cheating.

Coursework presentation and organization While a neat presentation of home,- test,- lab- and exam-work is not required for full credit, it certainly makes it easier to assess the quality of the work and give the proper credit due. In all cases, include a simple sketch if it might help conveying the approach or the calculations. As appropriate, include all units and all symbols such as signs, operation symbols, arrows on a vector, vertical bars for the absolute value of a quantity and the magnitude of a vector, etc.

• Homework: Submitted answer sheets should be stapled in the top-left corner. The Student's full name (and ID number) should be indicated on the first (cover) page. Solutions should be labeled and ordered consecutively by the chapter/problem numbers. Include all calculation/work and give full reference to any result quoted from any source other than the text, and page/equation number for results quoted from the text. All homework assignments will be graded and returned to the individual students.
• Weekly tests: The Student's full name (and ID number) should be indicated on the first (cover) page. All tests will be graded and returned to the individual students.
• Final exam: All exam questions are given on a question sheet and include the detailed point distribution and the place to write in the Student's full name and ID number. The final exams are stored by the instructor, but are available to the individual student for review and photocopy after the exam; no detailed solutions will be provided.

ADA disclaimer

Howard University is committed to providing an educational environment that is accessible to all students.  In accordance with this policy, students in need of accommodations due to a disability should contact the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Records, Denise L. Spriggs (202-806-8006), for verification and determination of reasonable accommodations as soon as possible after admission to the Law School, or at the beginning of each semester.

© Anand Batra & Tristan Hubsch, 2009