Syllabus

Physics 130 -- Electricity and Magnetism

Instructor:  Nathalie Haurberg, Office: D115 SMC, ext. 7629, nhaurber@knox.edu

Class Meetings:  MTuThF 6th period, D108 SMC.

Text:  Douglas C. Giancoli, Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 4th ed. (Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, 2008).  ISBN: 978-0-13-227559-0

Course Website:

http://course.knox.edu/physics130/

Homework:  Homework problem sets, adapted from Giancoli's text, will be available on-line at the course website.  Our physics software displays the problems, with your own individually-customized random numerical parameters, provides hints if requested, and gives instant feedback by telling you when your answer is correct.  For full credit, homework sets are due by 9:00 am on the due day.  Generally, homework problems can be completed up to one week after the due date for half-credit.

Working out the homework problems is probably the most important single aspect of the course for learning physics.  It is in the effort to understand specific problems that you make real progress is made in understanding.  You are encouraged to work together in groups on the homework problems; you may consult other books or people, and especially, you may feel free to consult me if you have trouble with a problem.  

The use of online homework aids or solution manuals is prohibited.

Labs:  Laboratory sessions will be held every Wednesday, starting March 29, in the lab D105 across the hall from the classroom.  

Lab instructor:  Nathalie Haurberg, nhaurber@knox.edu

Exams:  There will be two mid-term exams and a comprehensive final exam, as well as weekly short quizzes, typically given on Mondays.

            Exam 1                   Tuesday, April 18

            Exam 2                   Tuesday, May 9

            Final exam                          

Grade Weighting:         

Homework       

12%

Labs    

15%

Quizzes    

8%

Mid-term exams    

17.5%  each

Final    

30%

                                            

Late Policy:  Late homework counts half credit for the first week after the due date.  As usual in science courses, it is absolutely vital not to fall behind in the homework.

Course Description:

     This course concerns the phenomena of electricity and magnetism.  We will find that electrical and magnetic forces constitute a basic kind of interaction between bodies, somewhat akin to the gravitational force.  Electrical forces are the most important forces in everyday life, accounting for friction, the contact force exerted by surfaces, and the tension force holding a solid object (like you) together, as well as all the changes in molecular structure studied in chemistry.  The description of electrical phenomena is simplified by the concept of a force field called the electric field, envisioned as a region of influence surrounding an electric charge.  The field concept, one of the great creative leaps in the history of ideas, is basic to our modern understanding of nature.  We will see that electric and magnetic phenomena are related, so much so that one may in fact speak of the electromagnetic field.  It turns out that light is essentially a propagating wave of the electromagnetic field--your personal electromagnetic wave detectors are reading these words now.  In the last week or so of the course, we will shift our attention to a new topic--fluids, an area of physics that is often unintuitive and full of interesting surprises.

     Throughout the course, we will concentrate on developing two kinds of skills: (1) a qualitative, intuitive understanding of physical phenomena, and (2) quantitative reasoning and problem solving.  Problem solving is an important part of the course, and it is certainly one of my goals to convince you that thinking hard about a puzzle in physics can be a lot of fun.  The laboratory component (Wednesdays) is another important part of the course, allowing for some hands-on experience (and tinkering) with circuits, magnets, and fluid systems.

     A brief word about coming attractions in the physics sequence:  Modern Physics (Physics 205) completes the introductory tour of physics with Einstein's special theory of relativity, quantum mechanics, and atomic and nuclear physics.  Classical Dynamics (Physics 312) combines a theoretical approach with practical problem solving and computer modeling of simple and complex systems in motion.

Physics 130 -- Approximate Calendar:

Week   Chapter            Topic                                                                          

  1-2     21                    Electric charge and electric field

  3        22                    Gauss' law

  3-4     23                    Electric potential

     Exam 1

  5        24                     Capacitance

  6        25, 26               Electric currents and resistance, DC Circuits

  7        27, 28               Magnetism, Sources of magnetic field

     Exam 2

  8-9     28, 29               Sources of magnetic field, magnetic induction

  9-10   13                     Fluids