Course Syllabus
Course: PHYS 2220
Division: Natural Science and Math
Department: Physics
Title: Physics for Scientists and Engineers II
Semester Approved: Spring 2022
Five-Year Review Semester: Fall 2026
End Semester: Fall 2027
Catalog Description: PHYS 2220 is the second semester of a two-semester sequence in calculus-based physics for scientists and engineers. It is a necessary preparation for continuing studies in upper division STEM courses. It includes an introduction to electricity, magnetism, circuits, optics, and relativity. The methods of calculus are applied to develop theories and to solve problems.
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 4; Lecture: 4; Lab: 0
Prerequisites: PHYS 2210
Corequisites: PHYS 2225
Justification: This course is a necessary component of the curriculum for geology, chemistry, computer science, physics, math, and engineering majors. It is fully transferable to higher education institutions across the state of Utah (same course number).
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will know the important scientific laws and principles in electricity and magnetism. This will be assessed through quizzes and tests.
Students will be able to use sound problem-solving strategies to solve paper-and-pencil physics problems and apply them to real life. This will be assessed through homework assignments.
Content:
Care will be taken to emphasize the contributions to physics of historically underrepresented groups.1. Electric Fields a. Coulomb’s Law b. Gauss’ Law 2. Electric Potential and Capacitance a. Potential difference b. Capacitance and capacitors 3. Current and Resistance a. Ohm’s Law b. Resistance and temperature c. Electrical energy and power 4. Direct Current Circuits a. Electromotive force b. Resistors in series and parallel c. Kirchhoff’s Rules d. RC circuits 5. Magnetic Fields a. Sources of magnetic fields; Biot-Savart Law b. Effect of magnetic fields on charges c. Magnetic flux d. Ampere’s Law 6. Faraday’s Law and Inductance a. Lenz’s Law b. RL circuits c. Energy in a magnetic field d. Oscillations in LC circuits 7. Alternating Current Circuits a. Power and Phasors b. Resonance c. Transformers 8. Electromagnetic Waves a. Maxell’s Equations b. Energy, momentum, and radiation pressure c. The spectrum of electromagnetic waves 9. Nature of Light and Geometric Optics a. Speed of light b. Reflection and refraction c. Dispersion and total internal reflection d. Images formed by lenses and mirrors 10. Interference, Diffraction, and Polarization of Light Waves a. Young’s Double Slit Experiment b. Narrow slits and the diffraction grating c. Polarization of light waves11. Relativity a. Michelson-Morley Experiment b. Einstein’s Special Relativity12. Introduction to Quantum Mechanics a. Blackbody radiation c. Bohr’s model of the atom d. Wave-particle duality
Key Performance Indicators:
Participation 0 to 10%
Homework 10 to 35%
Quizzes 10 to 30%
Tests 20 to 45%
Comprehensive final exam 15 to 35%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Physics for Scientists and Engineers, current or recent edition. (There are various equivalent texts with the same name by different authors. Currently using Randall Knight.)
Pedagogy Statement:
The course will be taught in an interactive lecture format with lots of active-learning activities. Inclusive and high-impact strategies will be used, such as group work on in-class quizzes and student presentations to the class. Students will be encouraged to actively participate in in groups in both in-class and out-of-class activities. Students will be expected to come to class prepared by pre-reading the textbook. Students are encouraged to learn both confidence and humility.
Instructional Mediums:
Lecture
Maximum Class Size: 24
Optimum Class Size: 18
