Classroom time will be divided between the presentation and discussion of concepts on the one hand and the application of these concepts in problem solving on the other, with the majority of time devoted to the latter. The laboratory program will involve weekly, three hour sessions during which students will perform a set number of experiments.
Light: wave nature of light, reflection and refraction, mirrors and lenses, interference and diffraction; polarization of light.
Electricity and Magnetism: electrostatic force and field; electric potential; capacitance; direct current circuit elements; direct current circuit analysis; magnetic force and field; magnetic force applications; Ampere’s law; direct current meters; electromagnetic induction; generators.
Heat: temperature and thermometers; thermal expansion of solids and liquids; Gas Laws; heat capacity and latent heats; heat transfer; thermodynamics.
Laboratory Experiments: the spectrometer; wavelength determinations; thin lenses; wave optics; charged particles in an electric field; electric circuits and resistance measurements; Kirchhoff’s rules and circuit analysis/capacitance; radioactivity; motion of charged particles in a magnetic field; introduction to the oscilloscope; electromagnetic induction; thermal linear expansion of solids; heating effect of an electric current/conservation of energy.
The student will be able to:
1. Identify the following quantities and their SI units (where applicable): wavelength, frequency, velocity, index of refraction, focal length, radius of curvature, magnification, electric charge, force, electric field, potential, potential difference, capacitance, permittivity, dielectric constant, electromotive force, current, resistance, resistivity, power, energy, time constant, magnetic field, torque, permeability, magnetic flux, temperature, coefficient of expansion, pressure, volume, mass, mole, gas constant, molecular mass, Avogadro’s number, heat, specific heat, latent heat, thermal conductivity, internal energy, work, efficiency.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the following concepts, procedures, and principles through the solution of problems: law of reflection; law of refraction / Snell’s law; total internal reflection; mirror equation; lens makers equation; thin lens equation; constructive and destructive interference with light waves; Brewster’s law; Rayleigh’s criterion; Coulomb’s law; vector addition via components; electric field; electric potential energy, potential and potential difference; charged particle motion in an electric field; capacitance; capacitor combinations; energy storage in capacitors; electric current; Ohm’s law; resistance and resistivity; electric energy and power; resistor combinations; Kirchhoff’s rules; capacitor charging; magnetic force on moving charge; magnetic force on current carrying conductor; torque on a current loop; Ampere’s law; Faraday’s law; Lenz’s law; motional emf; thermal expansion of solids and liquids; gas laws; heat capacity; phase change; conservation of energy; calorimetry; heat transfer via conduction; first law of thermodynamics; thermodynamic processes; efficiency; Camot cycle; entropy.
3. Perform laboratory experiments and analyze the data obtained using appropriate graphing techniques, scientific notation, significant figures, and experimental uncertainty consideration.
4. Write a formal laboratory report in the conventional format required for submissions to scientific journals.
| Final exam | 30-40% |
| At least two tests administered during the semester | 40-50% |
| Laboratory reports | 20% |
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students
Cutnell, J. D., & K. W. Johnson: Physics, Fifth Edition, Wiley, 2001
Douglas College, Physics 2207 Laboratory Experiments
PHYS 1107 or equivalent
with PHYS 1107 serves a prerequisite for PHYS 321, 322, 420 and 421