Description:

This is an introduction to physics for engineering and science students. Included are mathematical approaches to the study of electricity, magnetism, sound, optics and modern physics. 4 hrs. lecture, 3 hrs. lab/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Demonstrate skills in creative problem solving in scientific and technological applications.
2. Understand the origins of the equations of physics using calculus and be able to apply them to new situations.
3. Identify the most important laws of electricity, magnetism, optics, waves and modern physics.
4. Apply the laws of physics in a laboratory and interpret observations and measurements by using diverse tools, such as conventional instrumentation as well as computer sensors and computer graphics.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Electrostatics and Electric Currents
   A. Electric fields
      1. Describe the properties of electric charges.
      2. Differentiate between insulators and conductors.
      3. State the essential features of Coulomb’s law and conditions
necessary for its application.
      4. Compare the mathematical form of Coulomb’s law to other basic
laws of physics.
      5. Define electric field and tell how it differs from electric
forces.
      6. Use calculus to develop expressions for electric fields created
by continuous charge distributions.
      7. Draw electric field lines using Coulomb’s law and explain why
field lines are useful.
      8. Apply kinematics equations to charges moving in an electric
field.
   B. Gauss’ law
      1. State Gauss’ law.
      2. Apply Gauss’ law to calculate electric fields for situations of
high symmetry.
      3. Using Gauss’ law, predict essential features of electric fields
inside and outside of insulators or conductors.
   C. Electric potential
      1. Explain the difference between electric potential and electric
potential energy.
      2. Find electric potential and electric potential energy from
various arrays of point charges or from continuous charge distributions.
      3. Derive electric fields from electric potential functions.
   D. Capacitance and dielectrics
      1. Write down the mathematical definition of capacitance.
      2. Calculate capacitance from dimensions given for two plate
capacitors.
      3. Relate charge, voltage and capacitance for series and parallel
combinations of capacitors.
      4. Find the energy stored in capacitors by knowing electrical
characteristics.
      5. Describe the effects of a dielectric on capacitance and suggest
an explanation of these effects.
   E. Current, resistance and EMF
      1. Define electric current both mathematically (using calculus) and
verbally.
      2. Identify the important mathematical parameters of an electric
circuit with a battery and resistor connected together.
      3. Solve problems using Ohm’s law.
      4. Draw graphs of voltage as a function of current for ordinary
metallic conductors.
      5. Describe the effects of temperature on resistance and solve
problems related to this.
      6. Solve problems for electrical energy and power.
      7. Explain the voltage changes as you go completely around a
circuit.
      8. Develop equations for series and parallel combinations of
resistors using conservation of energy and conservation of charge.
      9. Apply Kirchhoff’s rules to circuits with multiple voltage sources
and multiple branches.
     10.  Derive relationships for voltage and current as functions of
time for RC circuits.
     11.  Solve problems for practical applications using a variety of DC
circuits.

II. Electrodynamics
   A. Magnetic fields
      1. Compare electric and magnetic fields.
      2. Describe a magnetic pole and contrast it to an electric charge.
      3. Draw magnetic field diagrams for various arrangements of magnetic
poles.
   B. Magnetic forces
      1. Calculate the magnetic force on various arrangements of moving
charges, including current carrying conductors.
      2. Describe how to use vector cross product rules to predict the
direction of magnetic forces on moving charges.
      3. Derive relationships that describe the torque on a conducting
loop in a magnetic field.
      4. Solve problems, which are applications of interactions between
charges and magnetic fields.
      5. Explain the Hall effect and its role in determining the sign of
charge carriers.
   C. Sources of magnetic fields
      1. Using calculus, derive the strength and direction of magnetic
fields arising from moving charges.
      2. State the importance of Ampere’s law and solve problems using
it.
      3. Define magnetic flux and calculate flux in various situations.
      4. Derive the magnetic field of an ideal solenoid and compare it to
measurements.
      5. Solve problems with magnetic fields in materials.
   D. Electromagnetic induction
      1. Describe Faraday’s law of induction and solve problems in various
situations.
      2. Find the emf generated by conductors moving in a magnetic field
and by a changing magnetic field in the vicinity of conductors.
      3. State Lenz’s law and use it to find the directions of induced
emf’s and currents.
      4. Describe the operation of motors and generators.
   E. Inductance
      1. Define inductance and determine the direction of the induced emf
for a variety of situations.
      2. Determine the energy in magnetic fields caused by currents.
      3. Find current and voltage relationships as a function of time for
RC and RLC circuits.
   F. Alternating currents
      1. Derive equations for voltage and current for simple series
circuits including resistance, inductance and capacitance.
      2. Find the reactances and impedances of RLC circuits.
      3. Solve problems for AC circuits that include finding the current,
voltage and power in series circuits.
      4. Describe various AC phenomena including resonance, transformers
and filters.
   G. Electromagnetic waves
      1. Describe the origin and form of electromagnetic waves.
      2. Relate Maxwell’s equations to the electromagnetic spectrum.
      3. Calculate power and pressure produced by electromagnetic waves,
such as sunlight, lasers, room lights or TV signals.
      4. Describe the electromagnetic spectrum.

III. Fundamental Waves
   A. Sound waves
      1. Describe the nature and origins of sound waves.
      2. Calculate typical frequencies and wavelengths of sound waves.
      3. Describe the mathematics of sound waves.
      4. Draw examples of waves illustrating superposition and
interference of waves.
      5. Describe interference in water and sound waves generated by two
point sources.
      6. State the conditions for constructive and destructive
interference in terms of the differences in path length from two sources
to the point of interference.
      7. Draw diagrams showing the nodes and antinodes of standing waves
and derive expressions for the possible lengths and frequencies for
standing waves in a string fixed at both ends.
      8. Derive the mathematical conditions of standing waves for sound in
tubes open or closed at both ends and for tubes open at one end.
      9. Describe the conditions that create beats.

IV. Optics
   A. Nature and propagation of light
      1. Observe and describe mathematically (where possible) the nature
of light interaction with materials: reflection, refraction, diffraction,
scattering and transmission.
      2. Solve problems using Snell’s law.
      3. Explain the formation of a rainbow, why the sky is blue and why
the sun is red at sunset and sunrise.
   B. Interference, diffraction and polarization of light
      1. Describe the conditions necessary for interference in light in
terms of both path differences and in phase differences.
      2. Solve problems concerning double slit interference, intensity in
interference patterns, phase change upon reflection and thin film
interference.
      3. Observe, describe mathematically and solve problems relating to
single slit diffraction and diffraction grating interference patterns.
      4. Observe light polarization, describe its origins and solve
problems concerning intensity of polarized light.
      5. Explain common applications of polarized light, such as
calculator displays and polarizing sunglasses.

V. Modern Physics
   A. Modern quantum mechanical views of light and atoms
      1. Observe and explain the origins of light (especially light
spectra) from heated gases, heated solids and light emitting diodes.
      2. Draw electron energy diagrams and apply them to the three sources
of light mentioned above.
      3. Describe the existence of energy levels in isolated atoms and the
creation of energy bands as atoms crowd together to form solids.
      4. Explain the operation of an LED in terms of the voltages
necessary to cause light production.
   B. Quantum wave theory
      1. Explain the problems with classical theories of atoms and the
experimental basis for quantum wave mechanics.
      2. Describe the characteristics of quantum waves used to describe
electrons.
      3. Discuss the origins of quantum uncertainty and its implications
on observing nature in the submicroscopic realm.

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

1. Examinations
2. Homework
3. Labs

Grading: All work is graded on a point basis. The final grade in the
course is based upon the percent of the final point total as follows.

Grading Scale:
A  =  90 - 100%
B  =  80 -  89%
C  =  70 -  79%
D  =  60 -  69%
F  =   0 -  59%

Caveats:

1. Computer Literacy Expectations: Students will need basic word processing and Internet searching skills for the completion of some papers, exercises and projects.

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.