Common Course Outline

Course discipline/number/title PHYS 1128: Classical Physics II

Catalog Description

Credits 5
Hours/Week 7 (4 lecture, 3 lab)
Prerequisites (Course discipline/number) PHYS 1127, MATH 1127
Other requirements None
MnTC Goals (if any) NA

Course Description

This course is the second semester of a two-semester introduction to classical physics using the mathematics of vectors and calculus. Topics studied include temperature, heat, the first and second laws of thermodynamics, electrostatics, electric and magnetic fields, simple DC circuits, Kirchhoff's Laws, Ampere's Law, Faraday's Law, resistance, capacitance, inductance, AC circuits, electromagnetic waves, geometric and physical optics. These topics are studied through lecture, discussion, interactive problem-solving, demonstrations, hands- on laboratories, and independent work. Emphasis is on both conceptual learning and problem solving. The laboratory experience will provide the student with opportunities for discovery, measurement, report writing and data analysis. Students should either have already taken or be concurrently enrolled in Calculus II (MATH 1128).

Date Last Revised (Month, year)

February, 2025

Outline of Major Content Areas

  1. Thermodynamics
  2. Kinetic theory
  3. Heat engines
  4. First and Second Law
  5. Electrostatics
  6. Fields
  7. Potential
  8. Capacitance
  9. Magnetism
  10. Fields and Forces
  11. Sources
  12. Faraday’s Law
  13. Inductance
  14. Circuits
  15. Resistance and Ohm’s Law
  16. Direct Current circuits
  17. Alternating Current circuits
  18. Optics
  19. Geometric optics
  20. Physical optics

Learning Outcomes (General)

The student will be able to:

  1. Define physical terms and use them appropriately.
  2. Explain and apply physics principles to their everyday lives and explain many phenomena using these principles.
  3. Apply algebra and calculus to problem-solving of physical systems.
  4. Write clear and complete laboratory reports.

Learning Outcomes (MnTC)

Goal 3

The student will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of scientific theories.
  2. Formulate and test hypotheses by performing laboratory, simulation, or field experiments in at least two of the natural science disciplines. One of these experimental components should develop, in greater depth, student’s laboratory experience in the collection of data, its statistical and graphical analysis, and an appreciation of its sources of error and uncertainty.
  3. Communicate their experimental findings, analyses, and interpretations both orally and in writing.

Methods for Evaluation of Student Learning

Methods may include but are not limited to:

RCTC Core Outcome(s)

This course contributes to meeting the following RCTC Core Outcome(s):

Communication
Students will communicate appropriately for their respective audiences.
Critical Thinking
Students will think systematically and explore information thoroughly before accepting or formulating a position or conclusion.

Special Information (if any)

Scientific calculator or equivalent is required