Welcome to Physics 1252! This course is the second half of a two-semester introductory sequence. This semester we’ll focus on electromagnetism, one of the four fundamental forces of nature. The understanding of electric, magnetic, and optical phenomena as different aspects of the same underlying force was a crowning achievement of 19th century physics. Without this understanding, our modern electronic world wouldn’t be possible.

OBJECTIVES

As with last semester, the primary objective of this course is to engage you in a process that is central to physics: Modeling physical phenomena by applying a small set of fundamental principles. The modeling process encom-passes explaining and predicting physical behaviors; making appropriate approximations and simplifications for complicated physical systems; and communicating results through mathematical and numerical expressions, diagrams and visualizations, graphs, and even “plain English.”

The ordering of topics this semester will be different from the traditional sequence. We’ll start with optics, the study of light and how it interacts with matter. You will then learn about electric fields and electric potential. You will see how to apply those concepts to study electric circuits and currents (moving charges). Next we’ll discuss the magnetic field, and how electric and magnetic fields interact with each other.

If you are not an engineering major, then this course is probably not for you! If you’re considering a major in physics or astronomy, please talk to Dr. Wiegert (physics) or Dr. Caillault (astronomy) about other options.

PREREQUISITES

Some differential and integral calculus will be used in the course. It is important that you be registered for the second semester of the calculus sequence (Math 2260 or equivalent), if you haven’t already taken it. In order to do well in this course, you should also have a solid working knowledge of college algebra, trigonometry, and plane geometry. A prior high school physics course is useful, but not required. This course will continue to make use of the fundamental principles that you learned to work with in first-semester physics (forces, momentum, energy). Prepare to review that material if you’re feeling rusty!

REQUIRED MATERIALS

FlipItPhysics

Electricity and Magnetism, by Gladding, Selen, and Stelzer (Macmillan). As bundled in the bookstore, this is an online resource system combined with the textbook Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Vol. 2, latest edition, by Tipler and Mosca. You will use this material primarily to prepare for class. To enroll online in FlipItPhysics at https://www.flipitphysics.com/, use the following FlipItPhysics course access keys:

• x52y18Thbs if you are in PHYS1252 Section A with Schuttler
• a70cac60 if you are in PHYS1252 Section B with Abate.

Important: Use the first nine digits of your UGA 800-ID number, not your UGA MyID(!), as your ID when you enroll in FlipItPhysics. Example: If your UGA 800-ID number is 8119876540, enter 811987654 as your FlipItPhysics enrollment ID number.

A scientific calculator

A simple calculator such as the TI-30X series will do just fine, but a fancier graphing calculator is also acceptable.

ONLINE RESOURCES

• Your UGA email account will be subscribed to a low-volume announcement list. It is your responsibility to be informed of all announcements sent via this email list: check your UGA email daily!
• The eLearning Commons will serve as another repository of course information, esp. for exam grades, at http://www.elc.uga.edu/.
• Online assignments, both before and after class, are an essential part of the course. You’ll complete this work both within FlipItPhysics and on the LON-CAPA homework system at https://spock.physast.uga.edu/. Every time you start on a new homework set, make sure to first read the instructions and hints in a file named LON-CAPA Failures+Hints … .pdf. This file will be posted on LON-CAPA and will also be emailed to you with your first homework assignment.
• Additional practice problems and solutions may be posted on the PHYS 1252 course web site at http: //www.physast.uga.edu/classes/phys1252/schuttler/

OTHER RESOURCES

• Office hours are your chance to get one-on-one or small-group help with homework assignments or with understanding topics from class. Please make use of this time; we can’t address your questions if you don’t ask!
• If you can’t come to our regular office hours, or need additional help, please set up an appointment (by email, by phone, or in person) to see us outside of class.
• Tutors are available either through the UGA Tutoring Program at Milledge Hall, or through the Department of Physics and Astronomy.