Fall 2020

Introductory Physics II: Electromagnetism and Optics

Listed in: Physics and Astronomy, as PHYS-117

Formerly listed as: PHYS-17

Faculty

Jonathan R. Friedman (Section 01)
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. Laboratory exercises will emphasize electrical circuits and electronic measuring instruments. Three hours of lecture and discussion and one three-hour laboratory per week.

Because of the expected enrollment, the lectures and labs will be online only and remote.  Additional small group discusssions may have synchrnous sections either in-person or online.

Requisite: PHYS 116 or 123. Limited to 48 students. Fall semester: Professors Friedman and Jagannathan. Spring semester: Department.

PHYS 117

Section 01
TBD

PHYS 117F - DIS

Section 01
M 08:50 AM - 09:40 AM SCCE E212
W 08:50 AM - 09:40 AM SCCE E212
F 08:50 AM - 09:40 AM SCCE E212

Section 02
W 06:00 PM - 06:50 PM ONLI ONLI
Th 06:00 PM - 06:50 PM ONLI ONLI

PHYS 117F - LEC

Section 02
M 05:10 PM - 06:00 PM ONLI ONLI

PHYS 117L - LAB

Section 01
Th 03:00 PM - 05:00 PM ONLI ONLI

Section 02
F 02:10 PM - 04:10 PM ONLI ONLI

Section 03
M 02:10 PM - 04:10 PM ONLI ONLI

Section 04
Tu 01:30 PM - 03:30 PM ONLI ONLI

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, vol. 2, 15th ed, bundled with Mastering Physics access card 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 2021, Spring 2022