Spring 2017

Introductory Physics II: Electromagnetism and Optics

Listed in: Physics and Astronomy, as PHYS-117

Formerly listed as: PHYS-17

Faculty

Jagu Jagannathan (Section 01)

Description

Most of the physical phenomena we encounter in everyday life are due to the electromagnetic force. This course will begin with Coulomb’s law for the force between two charges at rest and introduce the electric field in this context. We will then discuss moving charges and the magnetic interaction between electric currents. The mathematical formulation of the basic laws in terms of the electric and magnetic fields will allow us to work towards the unified formulation originally given by Maxwell. His achievement has, as a gratifying outcome, the description of light as an electromagnetic wave. The course will consider both ray-optics and wave-optics descriptions of light. Laboratory exercises will emphasize electrical circuits, electronic measuring instruments, optics and optical experiments. Three hours of lecture and discussion and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Requisite: PHYS 116 or 123.  Limited to 48 students. Fall semester: Professor Carter. Spring semester: Professor Jagannathan.

PHYS 117 - LEC

Section 01
M 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM MERR 1
W 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM MERR 1
F 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM MERR 1

PHYS 117L - LAB

Section 01
Th 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM MERR 208

Section 02
F 02:00 PM - 05:00 PM MERR 208

Section 03
Th 08:30 AM - 11:30 AM MERR 208

This is preliminary information about books for this course. Please contact your instructor or the Academic Coordinator for the department, before attempting to purchase these books.

ISBN Title Publisher Author(s) Comment Book Store Price
University Physics, Volume 2, 14th ed, Hugh D. Young and Roger A. Freedman Amherst Books TBD

These books are available locally at Amherst Books.

Offerings

2024-25: Not offered
Other years: Offered in Fall 2007, Spring 2008, Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Fall 2009, Spring 2010, Fall 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019