Course Outline for Physics 4B
General Physics II

Effective: Fall 2024
SLO Rev: 11/06/2017
Catalog Description:

PHYS 4B - General Physics II

5.00 Units

Physics 4B is the second course in the calculus-based sequence for STEM majors, It addresses electric fields, voltage, electric currents, resistors, capacitors, DC circuits, magnetic fields, induced currents, alternating circuits, Maxwell’s equations and electromagnetic waves. May not receive credit if PHYS 7C has been completed successfully.
Prerequisite: PHYS 4A and MTH 2 and MTH 3 (MTH 3 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 and solve a variety of problems often using calculus in topics such as:
    a. electrostatics;
    b. electric potential and potential energy;
    c. electric currents and DC circuits;
    d. magnetism;
    e.. electromagnetic induction;
    f. alternating circuits;
    g. Maxwell’s Equations;
    h. Electromagnetic Waves.
  2. operate standard laboratory equipment;
  3. analyze laboratory data;
  4. write comprehensive laboratory reports according to published lab report standards.
Course Content:

Course Content (Lecture):

  1. Introduction to Electricity and Magnetism
  2. Electric force and electric charge
  3. The electric field
  4. Gauss' Law
  5. The electrostatic potential
  6. Electric energy
  7. Capacitors and dielectrics
  8. Currents and Ohm's Law
  9. DC circuits
  10. The magnetic force and field
  11. Ampere's Law
  12. Electromagnetic induction
  13. Alternating current circuits
  14. Maxwell’s Equations and EM Radiation

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/Exercise
  4. Group Activities
  5. Distance Education
  6. Problem Solving
  7. Research Report
  8. Presentation
  9. Practice/Demonstration
  10. Laboratory exercises
  11. Lectures
  12. Textbook reading assignments
  13. Class and group discussions
  14. Research project
  15. Demonstration
  16. Online Assignments
  17. Computer-based interactive curriculum
  18. Simulations
  19. Written assignments
  20. Group Presentations
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Complete 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. Write 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. Execute 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. Participate 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. Homework
  2. Quizzes
  3. Written Laboratory reports (individual and group) based on the Physics Department Laboratory Standards and graded on criteria that may include the following: 1) Description of experimental procedures 2) Completeness of data collected 3) Quality of data collected 4) Computational precision and accuracy 5) Accuracy and precision of experimental laboratory results 6) Proper use of symbolic notation 7) Quality of analysis of scientific principles explored 8) Quality of narrative explanations and reasoning 9) Representation of data in tables or diagrams 10) Evaluation of the experiment overall, including accuracy and error
  4. Midterm Examination
  5. Final Examination
  6. Research Projects
  7. Projects
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Demonstrate qualitative mastery of physics 4B concepts in electricity, voltage, circuits, capacitors, and/or magnetism through presentations, group projects, research papers, and/or homework essays.
  2. Demonstrate Mastery of Physics 4B lab experiment through submission of a complete lab report with all requirement elements present, including abstract; introduction; materials, methods, and procedures; data and analysis; results and discussion; references; data tables.
  3. 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.
  4. Demonstrate Qualititative mastery of Physics 4B concepts in Enull through CSEM test pre/post.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Young & Freedman (2016). University Physics (14th). Pearson.
  • Calculator
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Electric fields, voltage, electric currents, DC circuits, magnetic fields, induced currents, alternating circuits, and Maxwell's Equations.
Prerequisite: PHYS 4A and MTH 2 and MTH 3 (MTH 3 may be taken concurrently).
Discipline:
Physics/Astronomy*