Heartland Community College
Master Course Syllabus
Division: Math and Science
Course Prefix and number: PHYS 162
Course Title: COLLEGE PHYSICS II
DATE PREPARED: February, 1996
DATE REVISED: June, 1999
PCS/CIP/ID NO.: 11-400801-01
IAI NO. (if available):
EFFECTIVE DATE OF FIRST CLASS:
CREDIT HOURS: 5
CONTACT HOURS:
LECTURE HOURS: 4
LABORATORY HOURS: 2
CATALOG DESCRIPTION (Include specific prerequisites):
Prerequisite: PHYS 161 or equivalent, with a grade of C or higher. The second semester of a yearlong general physics course, based on mathematics through college algebra with some trigonometry,
but not including calculus. Topics include electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics.
Laboratory activities stress development of measurement, observational, and analytical skills, and are
based on lecture topics.
TEXTBOOK(S):
RELATIONSHIP TO ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS AND
TRANSFERABILITY:
Students who need a general non-calculus physics sequence, either for transfer, for general
education, of for fulfillment of a Heartland Community College associate degree.
COURSE OBJECTIVES (Learning Outcomes):
By the end of the second semester, students will have further increased their skills in problem
solving and scientific reasoning, and will have developed stronger laboratory skills in
measurement and data analysis. Students will also have developed increased understanding of the
nature of science and application of scientific reasoning and analysis by working with problems
involving these physics topics.
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Electric charges, and calculation of electric forces, fields, and potentials. (P1, 3, 5, 6, 8)
Origin of magnetic fields, and calculation of magnetic fields for given current distributions.
(P1, 3, 5, 6, 8)
Optical properties of lenses and mirrors.
Optical phenomena related to reflection, refraction, interference and diffraction of lights.
(P1, 3, 5, 6, 8)
Introductory quantum mechanics and related topics in modern physics. (P1, 3, 5, 6, 8)
Perhaps the most important skill stressed in this course is the development of physics problem
solving skills. To that end, problem solving is emphasized in lecture, homework assignments,
and in examinations. Students will not only analyze physical situations but also describe their
method of attack and their solution clearly in writing. Lab reports will be judged not only on the
basis of their content and analysis, but also on the clarity of the written description of the work
and the results. (C1, 3, P4, 7)
COURSE OUTLINE:
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Electric charges, forces, and fields
Gauss’ Law; electrical energy; capacitors
Current and resistance
DC circuits; Ohm’s Law
Kirchhoff’s Rules; resistors in combinations; RC circuits
Magnetism; origin of magnetic forces; forces between currents
Induced voltages and inductance
AC circuits; analysis of RLC circuits
Electromagnetic waves
Reflection and refraction of light
Mirrors and lenses
Wave optics; diffraction and interference
Optical instruments
Relativity
Quantum mechanics and atomic physics
LAB OUTLINE:
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Introduction; electric charges
Electroscopes; charging by conduction and induction
Equipotentials and electric fields
Ohm’s Law
Resistivity and resistance
Magnetic field mapping
Induction
Electromagnetic spectrum
Reflection and refraction
Focal length of mirrors and lenses
Lasers; interference
Diffraction gratings
METHOD OF EVALUATION (Tests/Exams, Grading System):
Four exams, including a comprehensive final.
Homework problems, assigned weekly.
Lab work (including written reports).
REQUIRED WRITING AND READING:
Good writing skills are essential for expressing scientific conclusions clearly and intelligibly.
Student writing will be considered in assigning credit for lab reports and exams. Term papers
will not be required.
Reading assignments from the required text will be made weekly. In general, students should have
read the assignment in advance of the lecture.