Physics 117 - Introductory Physics II: Electromagnetism and Optics

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 one hour of discussion and one three-hour laboratory per week. The lab component is a half-credit course.

Requisite: PHYS 116 or 123. Limited to 48 students. Fall semester: Dr. Jarrett Moyer. Spring semester: Dr. Jarrett Moyer

How to handle overenrollment: Preference will be given to students who are considering a major in Physics. After that, priority will be given by seniority.

Students who enroll in this course will likely encounter and be expected to engage in the following intellectual skills, modes of learning, and assessment: quantitative work, lab work and working in groups