PHYS 112 General Physics III (Calculus)

Students will develop an understanding of general wave phenomena including propagation, superposition, standing waves, and Fourier series with applications to mechanical, electromagnetic, and quantum mechanical waves. Students will also investigate wave intensity, geometric and wave optics, photons and the photoelectric effect, and a brief introduction to special relativity. Students will 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 course, students will 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. 

Credits

3

Prerequisite

MATH 182, PHYS 111, and eligible to enroll in ENGL 121

Hours Weekly

2 hours lecture, 3 hours lab weekly

Course Objectives

1. 1. Recognize intuitive ideas about the behavior of the physical world and refine these ideas
   through class discussions and by comparing and contrasting these ideas with results from
   experiments and computer simulations.
   
2. 2. Interpret and communicate concepts through written descriptions, equations, graphs, and
   diagrams using appropriate symbols, notation, and vocabulary.
   
3. 3. Describe the characteristics, propagation, reflection, and superposition of linear waves both
   graphically and mathematically.
   
4. 4. Apply ray, wave, or photon models as appropriate to solve problems involving light interacting
   with boundaries, lenses, mirrors, obstructions, openings, and atoms.
5. 5. Apply the de Broglie wavelength concept to simple examples to calculate quantized energy
   levels and explain Heisenberg‘s uncertainty principle.
6. 6. Identify and operate common laboratory equipment and data gathering tools such as
   microphones, function generators, speakers and mechanical oscillators, lenses, and
   computer simulations to gather information about a system or phenomenon.
7. 7. Design experiments, analyze uncertainty, and use experimental results to develop and
   assess models and/or to develop empirical equations and communicate these findings both
   orally and in writing.
8. 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. 1. Recognize intuitive ideas about the behavior of the physical world and refine these ideas
   through class discussions and by comparing and contrasting these ideas with results from
   experiments and computer simulations.
   

   This objective is a course Goal Only

2. 2. Interpret and communicate concepts through written descriptions, equations, graphs, and
   diagrams using appropriate symbols, notation, and vocabulary.
   

   This objective is a course Goal Only

3. 3. Describe the characteristics, propagation, reflection, and superposition of linear waves both
   graphically and mathematically.
   

   This objective is a course Goal Only

4. 4. Apply ray, wave, or photon models as appropriate to solve problems involving light interacting
   with boundaries, lenses, mirrors, obstructions, openings, and atoms.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

5. 5. Apply the de Broglie wavelength concept to simple examples to calculate quantized energy
   levels and explain Heisenberg‘s uncertainty principle.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

6. 6. Identify and operate common laboratory equipment and data gathering tools such as
   microphones, function generators, speakers and mechanical oscillators, lenses, and
   computer simulations to gather information about a system or phenomenon.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

7. 7. Design experiments, analyze uncertainty, and use experimental results to develop and
   assess models and/or to develop empirical equations and communicate these findings both
   orally and in writing.

   This objective is a course Goal Only

8. 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).

   This objective is a course Goal Only