Chabot College
Fall 2001
Course Outline for Physics 4C
GENERAL PHYSICS III
Catalog Description:
4C - General Physics III
5 units
Electromagnetic spectrum including reflection, refraction, diffraction, interference, polarization, relativity, and
modern physics. Prerequisite: Physics 4B and Mathematics 3 (both completed with grade of C or higher).
4 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory.
Prerequisite Skills:
Before entering the course the student should be able to:
1.
analyze and solve a variety of problems often using calculus in topics such as:
a.
thermodynamics;
b.
electrostatics;
c.
electric potential and potential energy;
d.
electric currents and DC circuits;
e.
magnetism;
f.
electromagnetic induction;
2.
operate standard laboratory equipment;
3.
analyze laboratory data;
4.
write comprehensive laboratory reports;
5.
transform points and equations among rectangular, cylindrical, and spherical coordinates and
sketch their graphs as well as quadric surfaces;
6.
parametrize curves using vector functions of one variable and analyze them (e.g. find unit
tangent, unit normal, curvature);
7.
sketch the graphs of functions of two variables using level curves, traces in coordinate planes,
symmetry, etc;
8.
extend the concepts of limits, continuity, differentiability and differential of single variable
functions to functions of two variables;
9.
compute limits, partial derivatives, total differential, gradient, directional derivatives and interpret
them geometrically and in terms of rate of change;
10.
apply partial derivatives and/or gradients to problems involving tangent planes and linear
approximation, and optimization, especially using Lagrange multipliers;
11.
compute double and triple integrals directly or using change of variables and explain the
geometric interpretation of Jacobians;
12.
apply differential operators gradient, divergence, curl and Laplacian to scalar and vector field
and interpret the results;
13.
compute line integrals using parametrizations for curves;
14.
parametrize surfaces using vector functions of two variables, and compute their areas;
15.
compute surface integrals of scalar functions and vector functions using parametrization for
surfaces;
16.
interpret the theorems of Green, Stokes and Gauss physically as well as mathematically
(as the generalizations of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus), and use them to compute
line and surface integrals;
17.
find scalar potentials for conservative vector field.
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1.
analyze and solve a variety of problems often using calculus in topics such as:
a.
electromagnetic wave phenomena;
b.
optics;
c.
interference and diffraction of electromagnetic waves;
d.
special relativity;
e.
quantum physics;
f.
wave mechanics;
Chabot College
Physics 4C, Page 2
Fall 2001
2.
3.
4.
g.
atomic physics;
h.
nuclear physics;
i.
particle physics;
operate standard laboratory equipment;
analyze laboratory data;
write comprehensive laboratory reports.
Course Content:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Electromagnetic waves
The displacement current and Maxwell's equations
Light and radio waves
Reflection and refraction
Interference
Diffraction
Polarization
Special relativity
Quantum physics
Wave mechanics
Atomic physics
Nuclear physics
Particle physics
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lecture and discussion.
Problem solving.
Demonstrations.
Laboratory experimentation.
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
Typical Assignments
a.
Weekly homework/question sets
b.
Laboratory reports (individual and group), including computer-based data acquisition and
analysis
c.
Special exercise worksheets, problem review, and computer simulations and tutorials; both
individuals and group activities and research papers
d.
Participation in email and web-based instruction, discussion and tutorials. Internet research
on topics dealing with physics and its applications to technology
2.
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a.
Quizzes
b.
Midterm examinations
c.
Final examination
d.
Laboratory reports
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Physics for Scientists & Engineers, Volume 2, Serway and Beichner, Harcourt College Publishers,
2000.
Special Student Materials:
None.
Revised 12-1-00