Physics for Scientists and Engineers 2

Catalog description

This course is an introduction to electricity and magnetism along with thermodynamics, with emphasis on understanding field theory, the behavior of simple electrical circuits, heat exchange, the laws of thermodynamics and thermodynamic processes. Central topics include gravitational, electric, and magnetic fields; the laws of Coulomb, Gauss, Ohm, Kirchhoff, Ampere, Biot-Savart, and Faraday; simple circuit analysis; Maxwell equations; heat, entropy, thermodynamic processes, and the thermodynamic laws. Although the course emphasizes conceptual understanding, students also learn to apply mathematical techniques such as vector algebra, vector differentiation and integration, binomial approximations, and linear differential equations to the solution of problems. The laboratory provides students with opportunities to learn and apply the scientific method through investigations of the phenomena discussed in lecture. The course is appropriate for students majoring in the physical sciences, engineering, mathematics, computer science, and related fields.