Contents

PHYS 104 Fundamentals of Physics II

This algebra/trigonometry physics course is designed to provide students with a working knowledge of the elementary principles of vibrations and waves, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and some modern physics; discuss applications to everyday phenomena (esp. life sciences); enhance conceptual understanding of physical laws; and increase problem-solving abilities as applied to physical systems. Topics investigated include: vibrations and waves, sound, electrical forces and fields, electric potential and capacitance, resistance and DC circuits, magnetic forces and fields, induced EMF, E-M waves, light with geometric and physical optics, plus quantum and atomic physics. This course is designed mainly for life science majors and pre-professional students. In the laboratory portion of the course, students learn to use common physics equipment (including microcomputer-based sensors), analyze data, develop empirical models of phenomena, and communicate their results through written and oral lab reports. 

Credits

4

Prerequisite

PHYS 103, MATH 153, and MATH 155 or higher mathematics core course

Hours Weekly

3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab weekly

Course Objectives

  1. 1. Identify physics misconceptions and support scientific models through class discussions and
    by comparing and contrasting your ideas with results from demonstrations, experiments, and
    computer simulations.
  2. 2. Develop problem-solving techniques as well as methods using various representations
    including diagrams, graphs, equations, vector and ray techniques, etc. to become a creative
    and practical problem solver.
  3. 3. Apply physics principles, scientific reasoning, and appropriate math techniques as needed to
    answer questions and solve quantitative problems related, but not limited, to: vibrations and
    waves, electric plus magnetic forces and fields, electrical potential with capacitance,
    resistance and DC circuits, induced EMF, E-M waves, geometric and physical optics, plus
    quantum and atomic physics.
  4. 4. Explain the fundamental concepts in physics using appropriate vocabulary, units, symbols,
    and notation.
  5. 5. Solve a problem by identifying the essential parts, formulating a strategy to solve it, applying
    appropriate techniques (including trigonometry) to solve it, verifying the solution’s correctness
    (e.g. sign, order of magnitude), and interpreting results.
  6. 6. Identify and operate common lab equipment and data-gathering tools such as motion and
    current sensors; analog and digital meters; graphical analysis programs; and computer
    simulations to gather information about a system or phenomena.
  7. 7. Develop and analyze models and/or empirical equations to predict and describe physics
    phenomena using experiments (some self-design) working with different lab partners and
    experimental results, and communicate these findings through written formal lab reports.

Course Objectives

  1. 1. Identify physics misconceptions and support scientific models through class discussions and
    by comparing and contrasting your ideas with results from demonstrations, experiments, and
    computer simulations.
  2. 2. Develop problem-solving techniques as well as methods using various representations
    including diagrams, graphs, equations, vector and ray techniques, etc. to become a creative
    and practical problem solver.
  3. 3. Apply physics principles, scientific reasoning, and appropriate math techniques as needed to
    answer questions and solve quantitative problems related, but not limited, to: vibrations and
    waves, electric plus magnetic forces and fields, electrical potential with capacitance,
    resistance and DC circuits, induced EMF, E-M waves, geometric and physical optics, plus
    quantum and atomic physics.
  4. 4. Explain the fundamental concepts in physics using appropriate vocabulary, units, symbols,
    and notation.
  5. 5. Solve a problem by identifying the essential parts, formulating a strategy to solve it, applying
    appropriate techniques (including trigonometry) to solve it, verifying the solution’s correctness
    (e.g. sign, order of magnitude), and interpreting results.
  6. 6. Identify and operate common lab equipment and data-gathering tools such as motion and
    current sensors; analog and digital meters; graphical analysis programs; and computer
    simulations to gather information about a system or phenomena.
  7. 7. Develop and analyze models and/or empirical equations to predict and describe physics
    phenomena using experiments (some self-design) working with different lab partners and
    experimental results, and communicate these findings through written formal lab reports.