Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism – Course Syllabus and Lecture Outline Study Guide

Course Overview

This course is the second or third in a calculus-based physics sequence for STEM majors, focusing on electricity and magnetism. It covers fundamental laws, mathematical techniques, and applications relevant to electromagnetism, including both DC and AC circuits, and Maxwell’s equations.

• Credits: 3

• Prerequisites: MAT142 (Calculus II), PHY130 (Physics I)

• Corequisite: PHY232

• Textbook: Giancoli, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 5th Edition

• Online Homework: Mastering Physics platform

Course Objectives

• Demonstrate knowledge of physical principles describing electromagnetism, including Coulomb’s Law, Gauss’s Law, Ampère’s Law, Biot-Savart Law, Faraday’s Law, Lenz’s Law, DC and AC circuits, and Maxwell’s equations.

• Organize physical phenomena into qualitative and quantitative models.

• Apply critical thinking to analyze multi-step word problems and formulate solutions.

• Use calculus (differential and integral) in problem-solving.

• Prepare for transfer to a four-year STEM program.

Grading Policy

• Exams: 60%

• Homework: 30%

• Recitation (attendance): 10%

The lowest exam grade may be replaced by the homework average if higher. The lowest homework grade is dropped. Recitation grade is based on attendance and participation.

Letter Grade Scale

Lecture Outline and Main Topics

The course is structured around the following main topics, each corresponding to chapters in the textbook and key concepts in electricity and magnetism.

Mathematical Foundations

• Differential Calculus: Review of derivatives, application to physics problems.

• Integral Calculus: Review of integrals, application to area, charge distributions, and field calculations.

Electrostatics

• Electric Charge: Fundamental property of matter; quantized in units of elementary charge .

• Coulomb’s Law: Force between two point charges: where

• Electric Field (): Field produced by charges: For a point charge:

• Electric Field Distributions: Calculation of for various charge configurations.

• Conductors: Properties in electrostatics; charges reside on surface, inside is zero.

• Electric Dipoles: Two equal and opposite charges separated by distance ; dipole moment .

• Electric Flux (): Measure of field passing through a surface:

• Gauss’s Law: Relates flux to enclosed charge:

Electric Potential and Energy

• Electric Potential (): Work per unit charge:

• Potential Distributions: Calculation of for various charge arrangements.

• Electrical Potential Energy (): Energy stored due to position in an electric field:

Capacitance and Dielectrics

• Capacitance (): Ability to store charge:

• Dielectrics: Materials that increase capacitance by reducing electric field inside capacitor.

Electric Current and Circuits

• Electric Current (): Flow of charge per unit time:

• Microscopic Current: Drift velocity and charge carrier density.

• DC Circuits: Circuits with constant current; Ohm’s Law:

• Kirchhoff’s Laws:

  • Junction Rule: Sum of currents entering a junction equals sum leaving.

  • Loop Rule: Sum of potential differences around a closed loop is zero.

• RC Circuits: Circuits with resistors and capacitors; charging and discharging equations:

Magnetism

• Magnetic Forces: Force on moving charge in magnetic field:

• Lorentz Force: Combined electric and magnetic forces:

• Forces on Wires:

• e/m Ratio, Cyclotron, Mass Spectrometer: Applications in measuring charge-to-mass ratio and particle motion.

• Ampère’s Law: Relates magnetic field to current:

• Biot-Savart Law: Magnetic field from current element:

• Types of Magnetism: Diamagnetism, paramagnetism, ferromagnetism.

Electromagnetic Induction

• Faraday’s Law: Induced EMF from changing magnetic flux:

• Lenz’s Law: Direction of induced current opposes change in flux.

• Mutual Induction: Induction between two coils.

• Transformers: Devices to change voltage using induction.

AC Circuits and Impedance

• LR, LC, LRC Circuits: Circuits with inductors, capacitors, resistors; oscillatory behavior.

• AC Current: Alternating current; sinusoidal voltage and current.

• Impedance (): Generalized resistance in AC circuits:

• Filters: Circuits that select frequency ranges.

Maxwell’s Equations and Electromagnetic Waves

• Maxwell’s Equations: Fundamental laws unifying electricity and magnetism:

  • Gauss’s Law for Electricity:

  • Gauss’s Law for Magnetism:

  • Faraday’s Law:

  • Ampère-Maxwell Law:

• Electromagnetic Waves: Solutions to Maxwell’s equations; light as an EM wave.

Special Topics

• Additional advanced or contemporary topics in electricity and magnetism, as determined by instructor.

Course Policies and Support

• Attendance: Regular attendance is required; students are responsible for missed content.

• Withdrawal: Deadlines and procedures for course withdrawal are outlined; medical withdrawals require documentation.

• Religious Observance: Absences for religious reasons are excused with advance notice.

• Disability Services: Accommodations are available for registered students with disabilities.

• Academic Integrity: Plagiarism and cheating are strictly prohibited; generative AI tools are not permitted for assignments.

• Mental Health Support: Confidential counseling services are available for students.

Lecture Schedule (Weeks and Topics)

Example Applications

• Capacitors in Circuits: Used for energy storage and filtering signals.

• Magnetic Fields in Motors: Principles of electromagnetism applied to electric motors and generators.

• Electromagnetic Waves: Foundation for understanding light, radio, and wireless communication.

Additional info:

• Mathematical reviews (differential and integral calculus) are included to support physics applications.

• Special topics may include advanced or contemporary issues in electromagnetism, as determined by the instructor.