About This Course
Course Description
This is the second of an algebra-based two semester sequence in classical physics. Topics include oscillations; waves; electricity and magnetism; optics and modern physics. Emphasis is on problem solving. Laboratory experiments are included in this course.
Course Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to
- State the fundamental laws and principles of oscillations; waves; electricity and magnetism; optics and modern physics;
- Define and recognise the physical quantities used to describe oscillations and waves;
- Construct ray diagrams for lenses and mirrors;
- Explain the operation of optical instruments using geometrical optics;
- Determine electric field and potential energy for discrete charge distributions;
- Describe the operations and applications of capacitors;
- Analyze simple dc circuits;
- Apply ampere’s law to determine the magnetic field strength;
- Apply faraday’s and lenz’s laws of electromagnetic induction;
- Discuss the wave-particle duality of light and matter;
- Describe radioactive decay processes and solve related problems;
- Make physical measurements and record data accurately;
- Plot graphs of experimental data accurately using appropriate scales;
- Derive physical information from the slope and intercepts of the graph of experimental data; and
Material Includes
- Giancoli, D. (2014). Physics: Principles with applications (7th ed.).
- Boston, MA: Pearson. SUPPLEMENTARY READINGS/MATERIALS Cutnell, J. D. & Johnson, K. W. (2012). Physics (9th ed.).
- Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons. Serway, R. & Vuille, C. (2012). College physics (9th ed.)
Curriculum
Week 1: Vibratory Motion
A. Elasticity and plasticity
B. Hooke’s Law
i. Force in spring
ii. Potential energy of stretched or compressed spring
C. Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)
i. Conditions for SHM
ii. Parameters and description of SHM
iii. Mass-spring system
iv. The Simple Pendulum
D. Forced vibrations and
E. Damped vibratory motion
i. Crit-ically damped
ii. Overdamped
iii. Underdamped
Week 2: Wave Motion
A. Characteristics of travelling waves
i. Wave parameters
ii. Description of motion
B. Types of waves
i. Transverse waves
ii. Longitudinal waves
C. Wave behavior
i. Reflection
ii. Refraction
iii. Diffraction
iv. Interference
D. Standing waves and resonance
Week 3: Sound
A. Representation of sound waves
i. Pressure
ii. Dis-placement
B. Sound intensity
C. Characterization of sound and sound wave properties
i. Timbre
ii. Pitch
iii. Loudness
D. Interference and beats
E. Doppler effect
F. Applications of sound waves
i. Ultrasonics
ii. Shock waves
Week 4: Geometric Optics
A. Evidence for rectilinear propagation of light
i. Formation of shadows
ii. Pinhole camera
B. Measurement of the speed of light
C. The Law of Reflection and Mirror Images
D. The Law of Refraction
E. Thin lenses
i. Graphical construction of images
ii. Lateral magnification
iii. Thin lens equation
F. Optical instruments
i. Combinations of lenses
ii. The human eye
iii. Camera
iv. Simple magnifier
v. Refractive telescope
vi. Microscope
Week 5: Revision and Midterm
Week 6: Wave Aspects of Light
A. Huygen’s Principle
i. Relation to wavefront
ii. Explanation of reflection and refraction
B. Dispersion
i. Spectrum
ii. Rainbows
iii. Diamonds
iv. Chromatic aberration
C. Diffraction
D. Young’s experiment and interference of light
E. Limit of resolution of the microscope
Week 7: Electric Charges and Fields
A. Static electricity
i. The electroscope
ii. Charging by induction
iii. Positive and negative charges
iv. Insulators and conductors
B. Coulomb’s Law
C. The electrical field
i. Lines of force
ii. Electric fields and conductors
Week 8: Electrical Potential and Capacitors
A. Electrical potential energy
B. Definition of potential
C. Relationship between potential and electric field
D. Capacitors
i. Definition of capacitance
ii. Parallel plate capacitor
iii. Dielectrics
iv. Energy stored in a capacitor
Week 9: Electric Current
A. The voltaic cell, batteries of cells, electromotive force (emf)
B. Ampere’s definition
C. Ohm’s Law
i. Ohmic conductors
ii. Resistivity
D. Direct Current (DC) Circuits
i. Resistors in series
ii. Resistors in parallel
iii. Combination resistive circuits
E. Wheatstone Bridge and Potentiometer
F. Alternating Current (AC)
Week 10: Magnetism
A. Magnetic materials
B. Magnetic fields
i. Magnetic field intensity
ii. Straight long current carrying wire
iii. Current loop
iv. Solenoid
v. Magnetic field of wire carrying an electrical current
C. Magnetic forces
i. Force on a current carrying wire
ii. Definition of magnetic field strength
iii. Force between long parallel current carrying wires
iv. Force on a moving charge
D. Galvanometers, ammeters and voltmeters
E. DC Motors
Week 11: Electromagnetic Induction
A. Induced emf
i. Magnetic flux
ii. Faraday’s Law
iii. Lenz’s Law
B. in a moving conductor
C. AC and DC generators
D. Mutual inductance and self-inductance
E. Transformers
Week 12: Modern Physics
A. Black body radiation and Planck’s hypothesis
B. The photoelectric effect
i. Photons
ii. Einstein’s explanation
C. Atomic spectra and the bohr atom
D. De Brogile’s Hypothesis
i. Wave – particle duality
ii. Introduction to wave mechanics
Week 13: Nuclear Physics
A. The nuclear atom
i. Geiger-Marsden experiment
ii. Rutherford’s explanation
B. Binding energy and mass defect
C. Radioactivity
i. Segrè chart
ii. Alpha decay
iii. Beta decay
iv. Gamma radiation
D. Energy released during radioactive decay
E. Rate of decay
F. Nuclear fission and fusion
Week 14: Laboratory Reports
A. Making Measurements
B. Analys-ing Data
C. Graphs
D.
Week 15: Exams
Free
Enrollment validity:
190 days
