Physics 132-002 - Electromagnetism and Optics
Fall 2024
Professor: Dr. Chad A. Middleton

Classroom	Houston Hall 107
Class Hours	11-11:50 MTWF
Office	Wubben Hall 228A
Office Hours	MWF 9-10, TR 10-11
Office Phone	970-248-1173
Email	[email protected]
Web Page	www.coloradomesa.edu/~chmiddle/132_02/

Course Description

The objective of this course is to provide you with a solid foundation in the physics of electricity, circuits, magnetism, and optics, for students of physics, \chemistry, mathematics, and engineering. Through this physics endeavor, you will obtain an increased conceptual understanding of physical phenomena and gain sharpened quantitative analytical skills, which will last with you long after you leave this course.

"Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school."
--Albert Einstein

From the catalog...

"Calculus-based introduction to classical electromagnetism and optics. Detailed coverage of electrostatics, electric circuits, magnetism, electromagnetic waves, geometrical optics, and wave optics. The mathematics of calculus and vectors is used throughout.

Prerequisite: PHYS 131/131L, and MATH 152 or MATH 136 (either may be taken concurrently)”
Source: 2023-2024 CMU Catalog

Course Requirements

Assignments

• There will be daily assignments consisting of 2-4 homework problems. Some of these assignments will be collected randomly at the beginning of class.
• Late assignments will not be accepted.

Examinations

• There will be four in-class exams administered throughout the semester and a cumulative final.
• Each exam will consist of several physical problems which will be somewhat similar to those assigned as homework. These problems will be designed to test your problem solving skills as they relate to the course material.
• Exams may contain multiple-choice questions that will be designed to test your conceptual understanding of the material at hand.

Required Text

Physics for Scientists and Engineers: A Strategic Approach, Vols. 3 & 4 by Randall D. Knight; 3rd edition
ISBN: 9780321753175 & 9780321753168

Grading

Your grade for this course is based on the following activities, weighted as shown

Homework Assignments	20%
4 Exams	60%
Cumulative Final Exam	20%

Grading Scale:

All graded work will be assigned a numerical score. You may estimate your letter grade by computing a percentage score and comparing it with the table below:

%	Grade
100-87	A
86-74	B
73-62	C
61-50	D
49-0	F

Accommodation for Students with Physical and Learning Disabilities

In coordination with Educational Access Services, reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified students with disabilities. Students should contact Educational Access Services at 970-248-1856 or Houston Hall 108 as soon as possible. Please visit https://www.coloradomesa.edu/educational-access for additional information.

Student Conduct and Academic Integrity

All incidents of academic dishonesty, including, but not limited to, plagiarism and cheating, will be handled according to CMU policy. For CMU policy on academic integrity, please refer to 2023-2024 CMU Catalog.

Tutorial Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC is a FREE academic service for all Colorado Mesa University students. Tutors are available on a walk-in basis for many courses. Do you have a quick question? Do you need homework clarification or feedback on a paper? Are you reviewing for a test? Help is available at the TLC!

At the main campus, come to Houston Hall 113 to meet with one of our friendly peer tutors. We are open on Monday through Thursday from 8am-6pm, and Fridays from 8am-5pm. We are also open Sundays from 1pm-6pm! Tutoring at branch campuses and distance tutoring is also available. Check out the website for schedules and locations at www.coloradomesa.edu/tutoring or call 248-1392 with any questions.

Factors for Success in this Course:

1. Attendance: Regular class attendance is expected and strongly recommended. You are responsible for all material discussed in class. It is in your best interest to always attend class and arrive on time, this class begins promptly at 11:00 am!
2. Reading Preparation: Topics discussed in class will, for the most part, closely follow the book. A reading of the text will help reinforce the physical concepts presented to you in class. The book also contains several example problems that may prove useful when doing the homework.
3. Homework: A true understanding of physics is much more than merely memorizing equations. You must be able to do physics i.e., you must be able to solve physical problems. You should think of every problem as a test of your understanding of the material at hand. Solving the homework problems will help to prepare you for the exams and should not be taken lightly. You are encouraged to discuss homework problems with your classmates. Working problems with your peers can be an excellent learning method, however, anything turned in must be your own work.
4. Tutoring: I am in my office and available to you everyday (see above schedule for times) to answer questions and assist you on any difficulties you may be having with your homework. In addition, CMU offers free tutoring. If you are having difficulty with course material, please see the Tutorial Learning Center.

Classroom Policies and Etiquette:

1. Cell phones are NOT to be used during class!
2. Be attentive and ready to participate in class.
3. Avoid classroom distractions. This includes leaving class during the course time.

Course Calendar

This is a TENTATIVE course calendar ONLY! The actual course can (and most likely will) deviate from the calendar listed below!!

 

**Final Exam:  Wednesday, December 11 at 10 - 11:50 am**

 

 

General Education Objectives:

This course is part of CMU's general education curriculum. Course content is designed to meet the following objectives of CMU's general education program:

 

1.      Understand the structure and discipline of mathematical thought and its use in problem-solving

2.      Have knowledge of the natural world and an understanding of scientific methods

 

Course Learning Objectives:

A student who has taken this course will demonstrate the ability to:

 

1.    Translate between verbal and mathematical descriptions of physical situations.  Apply mathematical reasoning, using algebra, trigonometry and calculus, to analyze these situations.

2.   Articulate the arguments, verbal and mathematical, used to analyze physical situations.

3.   Represent physical processes graphically and describe given graphical representations in physical terms.

4.   Use calculus to describe and analyze physical situations.

5.    Use the mathematics of vectors, vector algebra, products of vectors and vector components to analyze physical situations.

6.   Distinguish between and relate electric charge, forces, fields, potentials and currents.

7.   Distinguish between and relate magnetic forces and fields.

8.   Describe and use basic concepts associated with waves and the superposition of waves.

9.   Determine and use electric fields, electric potentials, electric forces, electrostatic energy, magnetic fields, and magnetic forces in various physical situations.

10.   Use the geometric picture of light to describe the properties of and propagation of light in various physical situations.

11.   Use the wave picture of light to describe the properties of and propagation of light in various physical situations, including interference and diffraction phenomena.

 

Program-Level Student Learning Objectives:

This course satisfies the following Physics-degree student learning objectives:

 

1.    Show fluency with the major fields of physics (classical mechanics, electromagnetism, statistical physics and quantum theory).

2.   Use mathematical representations to analyze physical scenarios. This requires translating back and forth between physical and mathematical problems and using appropriate mathematics to aid in the analysis of the scenario.