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: Principles
of Physics, 4th edition,
by Serway and Jewett.
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.
What is physics?
What is required to succeed in physics?
What should you be able to do after this
course?
Satellite finder -- Heavens
Above
Harbor
hydrodynamics (i.e., breakwater diffraction)
Engineering
manuals from the US Army Corps of Engineers
Helium
in the Sun
Iron
in the Sun
Impedance matching: here
and here
Arthur C. Clarke's Three
Laws
Fundamental
particles
Field
of Line Charge
Path
independence
Magnetic
fields on the surface of the Sun
Ion
propulsion (more)
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 )
Tutorials
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.