PHYS 111 General Physics II (Calculus)
Students apply their
understanding of Newton’s laws of motion and conservation of energy to systems
involving ideal gases, electric charges, and magnetic fields. Topics include
ideal gas processes; thermal properties of matter; the laws of thermodynamics
(including heat engines); electric forces, fields, and potentials for discrete
and continuous charge distributions; AC and DC circuits (including resonance),
magnetic forces and fields; and induced electromotive force (EMF). Students
apply their knowledge from Calculus I to evaluate trigonometric and polynomial
integrals and derivatives with particular emphasis on physical interpretations
of integrals. Students refine their understanding through small group and whole
class discussions, class demonstrations, laboratory experiments, computer
simulations, practice problems and tutorials (involving calculus as needed),
and self-reflection. In the laboratory portion of the class, students learn to
use common physics equipment (including microcomputer-based sensors), design
experiments, analyze data and uncertainty, develop empirical models of
phenomena and communicate their results through written lab reports.
Hours Weekly
3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab weekly
Course Objectives
- 1. Recognize one’s intuitive ideas about the behavior of the physical world and refine those
ideas through class discussions and by comparing and contrasting them with results from
experiments and computer simulations. - 2. Determine when it is appropriate or necessary to replace a sum or simple multiplication with
an integral and determine the integrand and limits of said integrals.
- 3. Develop and demonstrate, using appropriate symbols, notation, and vocabulary, explanatory
and predictive models by applying Newton’s laws and conservation of energy (including heat)
to systems involving electric charges, magnetic fields, and fluids. - 4. Relate, mathematically and conceptually, current, potential difference, resistance
(impedance), and power for AC and DC circuits involving power supplies, resistors, light
bulbs, capacitors, inductors, and switches. - 5. Construct AC and DC circuits based on their circuit diagrams and make current, voltage
difference, and resistance measurements using a digital multimeter and current and voltage
sensors. - 6. Identify and operate common laboratory equipment and computational tools such as digital
multimeters; temperature, pressure, current, and voltage sensors; graphical analysis
programs; spreadsheets; and computer simulations to gather information about a system or
phenomenon. - 7. Design experiments, analyze uncertainty, and use experimental results to assess models
and/or to develop empirical equations to describe phenomena, and communicate these
findings through written reports. - 8. Solve problems accurately by: identifying or estimating essential information and questions,
formulating a solution strategy, applying appropriate analytical and computational techniques
(e.g. spreadsheets, simulations), interpreting the solution physically, and assessing the
reasonableness of the solution (e.g. sign, order of magnitude).
Course Objectives
- 1. Recognize one’s intuitive ideas about the behavior of the physical world and refine those
ideas through class discussions and by comparing and contrasting them with results from
experiments and computer simulations.This objective is a course Goal Only
- 2. Determine when it is appropriate or necessary to replace a sum or simple multiplication with
an integral and determine the integrand and limits of said integrals.
This objective is a course Goal Only
- 3. Develop and demonstrate, using appropriate symbols, notation, and vocabulary, explanatory
and predictive models by applying Newton’s laws and conservation of energy (including heat)
to systems involving electric charges, magnetic fields, and fluids.
Learning Activity Artifact
- Other (please fill out box below)
- Final exam questions
Procedure for Assessing Student Learning
- Scientific Reasoning Rubric
- 4. Relate, mathematically and conceptually, current, potential difference, resistance
(impedance), and power for AC and DC circuits involving power supplies, resistors, light
bulbs, capacitors, inductors, and switches.This objective is a course Goal Only
- 5. Construct AC and DC circuits based on their circuit diagrams and make current, voltage
difference, and resistance measurements using a digital multimeter and current and voltage
sensors.This objective is a course Goal Only
- 6. Identify and operate common laboratory equipment and computational tools such as digital
multimeters; temperature, pressure, current, and voltage sensors; graphical analysis
programs; spreadsheets; and computer simulations to gather information about a system or
phenomenon.This objective is a course Goal Only
- 7. Design experiments, analyze uncertainty, and use experimental results to assess models
and/or to develop empirical equations to describe phenomena, and communicate these
findings through written reports.This objective is a course Goal Only
- 8. Solve problems accurately by: identifying or estimating essential information and questions,
formulating a solution strategy, applying appropriate analytical and computational techniques
(e.g. spreadsheets, simulations), interpreting the solution physically, and assessing the
reasonableness of the solution (e.g. sign, order of magnitude).
Learning Activity Artifact
- Other (please fill out box below)
- Final exam questions
Procedure for Assessing Student Learning
- Scientific Reasoning Rubric