Course Outline for Physics 7C
Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Electromagnetism

Effective: Fall 2024
SLO Rev: 03/02/2021
Catalog Description:

PHYS 7C - Physics for Scientists and Engineers: Electromagnetism

5.00 Units

Introduction to the principles of Electricity and Magnetism using calculus. Physics 7C is the recommended third course in the sequence designed for engineering and science majors, but it can be taken directly after Physics 7A or with Physics 7B if math prerequisites are met. Key concepts include Electric fields, Gauss' Law, Electric Potential, Capacitors, Current, Resistance, Series and Parallel Circuits, magnetic fields, induced currents, alternating circuits, Maxwell’s equations, Electromagnetic waves. May not receive credit if PHYS 4B has been completed successfully.
Prerequisite: PHYS 7A, MTH 3, MTH 4 (may be taken concurrently) and MTH 6 (may be taken concurrently)
1902.00 - Physics, General
Letter Grade Only
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 4.00 72.00 144.00 216.00
Laboratory 1.00 54.00 0.00 54.00
Total 5.00 126.00 144.00 270.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Analyze simple static charge distributions and calculate the resulting electric field and electric potential;
  2. Analyze simple current distributions and calculate the resulting magnetic field;
  3. Explain the physical location and motions of charged particles within objects in the presence of an electric or magnetic field;
  4. Predict the trajectory of charged particles in uniform electric and magnetic fields;
  5. Analyze situations in which the electric or magnetic field is changing in time using Faraday’s Law and/or Maxwell’s equations;
  6. Analyze DC and AC circuits in terms of current, potential difference, and power dissipation for each element;
  7. Design, perform, analyze, and assess the effectiveness of simple experiments to demonstrate physical phenomena;
  8. Operate standard laboratory equipment and analysis tools, including digital data acquisition systems, spreadsheet programs, and plotting programs;
  9. Analyze real-world experimental data, including appropriate use of units and significant figures;
  10. Relate the results of experimental data to the physical concepts discussed in the lecture portion of the class.
Course Content:

Course Content (Lecture):

  1. Electric Fields
    1. Properties of Electric Charges
    2. Charging Objects by Induction
    3. Coulomb’s Law
    4. The Electric Field
    5. Electric Field of a Continuous Charge Distribution
    6. Electric Field Lines
    7. 7.Motion of Charged Particles in a Uniform Electric Field
  2. Gauss’s Law
    1. Electric Flux
    2. Gauss’s Law
    3. Application of Gauss’s Law to Various Charge Distributions
    4. Conductors in Electrostatic Equilibrium
    5. Formal Derivation of Gauss’s Law
  3. Electric Potential
    1. Potential Difference and Electric Potential
    2. Potential Differences in a Uniform Electric Field
    3. Electric Potential and Potential Energy Due to Point Charges
    4. Obtaining the Value of the Electric Field from the Electric Potential
    5. Electric Potential Due to Continuous Charge Distributions
    6. Electric Potential Due to a Charged Conductor
    7. The Millikan Oil-Drop Experiment
    8. Applications of Electrostatics
  4. Capacitance and Dielectrics
    1. Definition of Capacitance
    2. Calculating Capacitance
    3. Combinations of Capacitors
    4. Energy Stored in a Charged Capacitor
    5. Capacitors with Dielectrics
    6. Electric Dipole in and Electric Field
    7. An Atomic Description of Dielectrics
  5. Current and Resistance
    1. Electric Current
    2. Resistance
    3. A Model for Electrical Conduction
    4. Resistance and Temperature
    5. Superconductors
    6. Electrical Power
  6. Direct Current Circuits
    1. Electromotive Force
    2. Resistors in Series and Parallel
    3. Kirchhoff’s Rules
    4. RC Circuits
    5. Electrical Meters
    6. Household wiring and Electrical Safety
  7. Magnetic Fields
    1. Magnetic Fields and Forces
    2. Magnetic Force acting on a Current-Carrying Conductor
    3. Torque on a Current Loop in a Uniform Magnetic Field
    4. Motion of a Charged Particle in a Uniform Magnetic Field
    5. Applications Involving Charged Particles Moving in a Magnetic Field
    6. The Hall Effect
  8. Sources of the Magnetic Field
    1. The Biot-Savart Law
    2. The Magnetic Force Between Two Parallel Conductors
    3. Ampère’s Law
    4. The Magnetic Field of a Solenoid
    5. Magnetic Flux
    6. Gauss’s Law in Magnetism
    7. Displacement Current and the General Form of Ampère’s Law
    8. Magnetism in Matter
    9. The Magnetic Field of the Earth
  9. Faraday’s Law
    1. Faraday’s Law of Induction
    2. Motional emf
    3. Lenz’s Law
    4. Induced emf and Electric Fields
    5. Generators and Motors
    6. Eddy Currents
    7. Maxwell’s Equations
  10. Inductance
    1. Self-Inductance
    2. RL Circuits
    3. Energy in a Magnetic Field
    4. Mutual Inductance
    5. Oscillations in an LC Circuit
    6. The RLC Circuit
  11. Alternating Current Circuits
    1. AC Sources
    2. Resistors in an AC Circuit
    3. Inductors in an AC Circuit
    4. Capacitors in an AC Circuit
    5. The RLC Series Circuit
    6. Power in an AC Circuit
    7. Resonance in a Series RLC Circuit
    8. The Transformer and Power Transmission
    9. Rectifiers and Filters
  12. Electromagnetic Waves
    1. Maxwell’s Equations and Hertz’s Discoveries
    2. Plane Electromagnetic Waves
    3. Energy Carried by Electromagnetic Waves
    4. Momentum and Radiation Pressure
    5. Production of Electromagnetic Waves by and Antenna
    6. The Spectrum of Electromagnetic Waves

Course Content (Laboratory):

  1. Laboratory experiments, simulations, and activities exploring the lecture content that may include the following concepts
    1. Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism
    2. Electric force and electric charge
    3. The electric field (Mapping Field lines)
    4. Gauss' Law
    5. The electrostatic potential
    6. Electric energy
    7. Capacitors and dielectrics 
    8. Currents and Ohm's Law
    9. DC circuits (Parallel and Series Circuits, RC Circuits)
    10. The magnetic force and field (Earth’s magnetic field)
    11. Ampere's Law
    12. Electromagnetic induction (Motors and Generators)
    13. Alternating current circuits (RLC circuits)
    14. Maxwell’s Equations and EM Radiation
  2. Experimental Technique, Manual and Computerized Collection and Analysis of Data, Error Analysis.
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Lecture/Discussion
  2. Laboratory
  3. Demonstration
  4. Group Activities
  5. Online Assignments
  6. Class and group discussions
  7. Problem Solving
  8. Research Report
  9. Presentation
  10. Distance Education
  11. Laboratory exercises
  12. Lectures
  13. Textbook reading assignments
  14. Presentation of audio-visual materials
  15. Research project
  16. Computer-based interactive curriculum
  17. Simulations
  18. Written assignments
  19. Group Presentations
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Weekly homework/question sets: 10+ discussion and/or numerical problems taken from the textbook and online homework systems. Example: A parallel plate capacitor has fixed charges +Q and –Q. The separation of the plates is then tripled. By what factor does the energy stored in the electric field change? How much work must be done to increase the separation of the plates from d to 3.0d. Assume the area of each plate is A.
  2. Laboratory reports (individual and group), including computer-based data acquisition and analysis. Example: Determine the value of the horizontal component of Earth’s local magnetic field in the laboratory using the Biot-Savart law applied to solenoids, by measuring harmonic oscillations resulting from magnetic moments acting on a suspended magnet.
  3. Written assignments that encourage critical thinking and writing skills by including essays which involve analytical reasoning; special exercise worksheets; computer simulations and tutorials; individual and group activities, research papers, long-term individual and group projects. Example: Research an application of physics related to a topic from our class, and write a 5+ page paper, including at least 5 current outside references. Present your work to the class in a 10-minute presentation, and develop a handout to support your presentation.
  4. Participation in email and web-based instruction, discussion, homework assignments, and tutorials, including web-based research on topics dealing with physics and its applications to technology.
  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Quizzes
  3. Homework
  4. Lab Activities
  5. Class Work
  6. Group Projects
  7. Research Projects
  8. Oral Presentation
  9. Online Assignments
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. demonstrate qualitative mastery of physics concepts in electricity, voltage, circuits, capacitors, and/or magnetism through presentations, group projects, research papers, and/or homework essays;
  2. demonstrates Mastery of Physics lab experiment through submission of a complete lab report with all required elements present, including abstract; introduction; materials, methods, and procedures; data and analysis; results and discussion; references; data tables;
  3. demonstrate Quantitative mastery of concepts in E&M through Conceptual Survey in Electricity & Magnetism test pre/post comparison or the BEMA pre- and post-survey, or their equivalent;
  4. read, translate, diagram and successfully solve quantitatively key word problems involving the concepts of Coulomb's Law, Gauss' Law, conservation of energy; definitions of capacitance, current, and resistance, laws of magnetism, Faraday's Law of Induction and concept of AC circuits;
  5. design and conduct laboratory experiments, and analyze and interpret their data;
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Young, H., R. Freedman. (2019). University Physics (15th). Pearson Education.
  2. Knight, R. (2017). Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach (4th). Pearson Education.
  3. Halliday, D., R. Resnick, J. Walker. (2021). Fundamentals of Physics (Extended) (12th). Wiley.
  1. Vernier. Physics with Computers. Vernier, 2020.
  1. Modified Mastering Physics. Pearson Education, (/e).
  • Programmable scientific calculator capable of graphing.
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Electric fields, electric currents, magnetic fields, induced currents, alternating circuits, Maxwell’s equations, Electromagnetic waves. Physics 7C is the recommended third course in the sequence designed for engineering and science majors, but it can be taken directly after Physics 7A or along with Physics 7B if math prerequisites are met.
Prerequisite: PHYS 7A, MTH 3, MTH 4 (may be taken concurrently) and MTH 6 (may be taken concurrently)
Discipline:
Physics/Astronomy*