PHYS 1213      UNIVERSITY of DENVER     Autumn 2006

University Physics III

4 credits

 

Davor Balzar

Department of Physics and Astronomy

Physics Building #105, 303-871-2137, balzar@du.edu

http://www.du.edu/~balzar

 

Class schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10:00-10:50 AM Olin 105

 

Office hours: Monday 3:00-4:00 PM, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 11:00-12:00 AM

 

Course description: Introduction to mechanics of particles and rigid bodies; thermal physics; wave phenomena; electrostatics, simple electric circuits, introduction to magnetism and electromagnetism; light, geometrical and physical optics. Strongly recommended for physics majors, required for all students in engineering, and recommended for all science majors who are also required to take calculus. Prerequisite: PHYS 1212. Co-requisites: PHYS 1223, MATH 1953.

 

Actual content variation: This course description is identical for University Physics I, II, and III. Actual topics taught in a particular part are listed in the schedule. Elements of electromagnetic waves, interference, and diffraction are taught in the end if there is sufficient time. This requires Part 4 of the textbook in addition to Part 3.

 

Required textbook:

  • David Halliday, Robert Resnick, and Jearl Walker, Fundamentals of Physics, 7th ed., Part 3, Wiley.

 

Supplementary reading:

  • David Halliday, Robert Resnick, and Jearl Walker, Fundamentals of Physics, 7th ed., Part 4, Wiley.
  • Clifford Swartz: Prelude to Physics, Wiley, 1983.
  • Dare A. Wells and Harold S. Slusher: Physics for Engineers and Science, Schaum's Outline Series, McGraw-Hill, 1983, (or similar newer edition)
  • Jerry D. Wilson, Anthony J. Buffa, College Physics, 5th ed., Prentice Hall, 2003.
  • John D. Cutnell, Kenneth W. Johnson, Physics, 6th ed., Wiley, 2003.
  • Douglas C. Giancoli, Physics: Principles with Applications, 5th ed., Prentice Hall, 1998.
  • Larry Gonick and Art Huffman, The Cartoon Guide to Physics, HarperPerennial, 1990 (?).
  • Richard Feynman, Robert Leighton, and Matthew Sands, The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Vols. I and II, Addison-Wesley, any edition.

 

Prerequisites:

  • Basic calculus
  • Basic algebra skills
  • Basic analytical geometry

 

Specific mathematical capabilities developed and used:

  • Strategies for solving problems
  • Symbolic manipulation

 

Student evaluation:

Based on:

  • Homework (25 %) - problems
  • Quizzes (25 %)
  • 2 one-hour exams (25 %)
  • Final exam (25 %)

At least 80 % of the homework has to be turned in to pass the course.

 

Late-paper and attendance policy:

2 missing papers (1 homework and 1 quiz) are allowed (grade drops afterward). All 3 exams must be attended or absence documented by a note from a doctor.

 

Important note:

Students must comply with University Honor Code (http://www.du.edu/honorcode/). Plagiarism is a serious offense and a basis for failing the course.

 

Schedule

 

Week

Topic

1

Electric Charge

Electric Fields

2

Gauss' Law

3

Electric Potential

Capacitance

4

Current and Resistance

Circuits

5

Magnetic Fields

6

Induction and Inductance

7

Magnetism of Matter

Maxwell's Equations

8

Electromagnetic Oscillations

Alternating Current

9

Electromagnetic Waves

10

Interference and Diffraction