Problems are the
cutting edge that distinguishes between success and failure.
Problems call forth our courage and our wisdom; indeed, they
create our courage and our wisdom. It is only because of our
problems that we grow mentally and spiritually. When we
desire to encourage the growth of the human spirit, we
challenge and encourage the human capacity to solve
problems, just as in school we deliberately set problems for
our children to solve. It is through the pain of confronting
problems that we learn.
- Morgan Scott Peck
This is the third semester of a three-semester, calculus-based physics sequence. The required prerequisites are PS 150 and PS 160 - Physics I and II for Engineers, as well as MA 241 and MA 242. We will cover electric fields and magnetic fields, Gauss's law, electric potential, capacitors, Ohm's law, Kirchoff's laws, Ampere's law, Faraday's law, Lenz's law, Maxwell's equations, and selected topics from modern physics.
Required
Text: Sears and Zemansky's "University
Physics", 14th edition, by Young and Freedman (Vol
3 of the Second Custom Edition for ERAU).
Recommended Hypertext: Hyperphysics
Recommended online text: Simple
Nature by Crowell (online)
The
Physics
of Waves by Howard Georgi (Harvard)
Classical
Electromagnetism by Fitzpatrick (online)
Recommended Print Texts: Physics
by Tipler (ERAU library QC 21.2 .T548),
Lectures on Physics by Feynman (ERAU
library QC 23 .F47)
Understanding Physics, by Isaac
Asimov - a great science fiction writer explains physics. (ERAU library QC 23 .A8)
Cartoon Guide to Physics, by
Gonick and Huffman - physical principles in a visual format.
(ERAU library QC 24.5 .G66)
3000 Physics Problems - lots and
lots of practice quantitative problems. (ERAU library QC 32
.H325 1988b)
See the syllabus for
more detailed information.
Here is the homework log.
What is physics?
What is required to succeed in
physics?
What should you be able to do after
this course?
Satellite finder -- Heavens
Above
Helium
in the Sun
Iron
in the Sun
Impedance matching: here
and
here
Fundamental
particles
Field of Line Charge
Path independence
Magnetic
fields on the surface of the Sun
Ion
propulsion
Falling ring: http://web.mit.edu/jbelcher/www/EOS/
Historical sites: http://www.victorianweb.org/science/ether.htm
Physical dipole vs. "pure"
dipole
The
electron
"song" ( More
physics songs )
Listening to lectures is not enough. All processes of learning are somehow connected to active participation, and the learning of physics is no exception. Therefore, it is imperative that you work diligently at your own desk. However, this does not mean that you should only work alone. I encourage you to form study groups and collaborate with your classmates.
Practice at problem solving is an important part of learning physics, especially for engineers. I suggest that you work as many problems as possible.
