Dr. Xiaoliang Zhu (
Teaching Assistant:
Melanie Jones, mjones@wells.edu, hours:
Rachel Remby, rremby@wells.edu, hours:
Course Description
Here is the LectureSchedule, where you will find the topics
discussed, on which days. Lecture notes are available here.
Fundamentalsof Physics II
is the second of the three-part introductory physics series,intended
for scientists, 3/2 engineers, and pre-health-sciences students. Thematerial covers a broad range of important topics, all
of which use theabilities for physical analysis and
mathematical abstraction that you alreadypossess.
Replacing the direct thread of development of the theory, in FundamentalsI, Physics 212L has more of a
thinking-like-a-physicist sensibility,brought to bear
on topics ranging from material science, to oscillatory motion,to
wave physics, to heat and thermodynamics, to simple electric circuits.You'll find that the material has applicability
across the sciences.
Textbook and Other Tools
Hecht Physics:Calculus (2nd ed.) (volume 1) is ourtext. Toward the end we will use other sources, which
I'll distribute.we may goa
bit beyond the text. Calculus II (MA112) is expected at least concurrently,if not already taken. I remind you of the
useful reserve sources for us, in thePhysics/Chemistry
library: Fundamentals of Physics, by Halliday/Rensick/Walker,
is a classic; Physics, by Tipler, is very
clear and recommended; Physicsfor
Scientists and Engineers byGiancoli, is nice too;
in addition look at the two "outline"references,
Schaum's Beginning Physics and the
Harcourt/Brace/Jovanovich College Physics.
Topics to Be Covered
MATERIALSAND
FLUIDS (Chapter 9): the physics of soft stuff
OSCILLATIONS(Chapter
10): a particularly important kind of motion
WAVES(Chapter
11): collections of oscillators (a "medium") generate newphenomena
THERMALPROPERTIES
OF MATTER (Chapters 12 and 13): how solids and gases respond to heat
THERMODYNAMICS(Chapter
14): the physics of heat and work
BASICELECTRICITY
(supplemental): voltage, current, resistance, and simple circuits
Basis of Grading
Homework/ClassParticipation
: (20%) Here is the regularly updated Homework
Assignment Page. Volunteerism at the board isstrongly
encouraged as are questions at any moment during class! Please do thehomework with enthusiasm and diligence - your exam
scores benefit.
Laboratory
: (20%) In addition to short "tearoffsheets"
accompanying most labs, you will need to prepare two (2) formallab
reports at some point during the semester. You may miss any one lab duringthe semester.
Exams
: We will have three exams (low score dropped: 2x15%
=30%), and a final exam (30%).
Physics related links
Wave applet http://www.surendranath.org/Applets.html
Standing wave http://www.physics.smu.edu/~olness/www/03fall1320/applet/pipe-waves.html
damped
harmonic motion http://cat.sckans.edu/physics/shm.htm
driven harmonic motion http://www.kettering.edu/~drussell/Demos/SHO/mass-force.html
Carnot Engine http://www.corrosion-doctors.org/Biographies/carnotcycle.htm
Problem Review