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. The laboratory program will involve weekly, three hour sessions during which students will perform a set number of experiments. Laboratory experiments may involve group work.
- Electricity and Magnetism:
- Electrostatic force and field
- Electric potential
- Capacitance
- Direct current circuits
- Magnetic force
- Biot-Savart law and Ampere’s law
- Electromagnetic induction
- Magnetic properties of materials
- Optics
- Wave nature of light
- Reflection and refraction
- Geometric optics
- Interference and diffraction
- Polarization
- Modern Physics:
- Photon concept
- Photoelectric effect
- Matter waves
- Quantum numbers
- Periodic table
- Laser
- Nuclear properties
- Radioactivity
Laboratory Experiments:
- Charged particles in an electric field
- Resistance measurements
- Circuit analysis / capacitance
- Oscilloscope applications
- Moving charge in a magnetic field
- Electromagnetic induction
- Thin lenses
- The spectrometer
- Wave optics
- Hydrogen spectrum
- Radioactivity
Upon completion of the course the student will be able to:
1. Identify the following quantities and their appropriate units: electric charge; electric force; electric field, energy, potential, and potential difference; capacitance; permittivity; dielectric constant; electromotive force; current; resistance; resistivity; power; time constant; magnetic field; torque; magnetic flux; wavelength; frequency; index of refraction; focal length; radius of curvature; magnification; work function; disintegration constant; half-life.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of the following concepts, procedures and principles through the solution of problems: Coulomb’s law; electric field; vector addition of electric forces and fields; electric potential energy, potential, and potential difference; charged particle motion in electric field; capacitance; electric current; Ohm’s law; resistance and resistivity; electric energy and power; resistor combinations; Kirchhoff’s rules; magnetic force on moving charge; magnetic force on current carrying conductor; torque on a current loop; Biot-Savart law; Ampere’s law; Faraday’s law; Lenz’s law; motional emf; electromagnetic waves; laws of reflection and refraction; polarization of light; image formation via mirrors and lenses; optical instruments; interference and diffraction of light; photoelectric effect; matter waves; periodic table; laser; radioactivity.
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.
The final grade in the course will be determined based on the following:
Final examination - minimum 30% / maximum 40%;
At least one test administered during the semester - minimum 20% / maximum 30%;
Submitted laboratory reports - 20%;
Quizzes / assignments - minimum 10% / maximum of 20%.
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students
Halliday, D., R. Resnick, & Walker, G. Fundamentals of Physics, Wiley.
Douglas College, Physics 1210 Laboratory Experiments.