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PHY102

Electricity, Magnetism And Modern Physics

  • Sciences
  • 100 level
  • 3 credit units
  • 343 pages
  • 14 units

This course introduces the fundamental principles of electricity, magnetism, and modern physics. It explores the relationship between electric and magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, and alternating current theory. Students will learn about electric charges, forces, fields, and their applications in circuits and instruments. The course also covers terrestrial magnetism, electromagnetic induction, and basic concepts of modern physics, including quantum theory and energy levels in atoms.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
150 hours
Maths
Intermediate
Content
Theoretical, practical, problem solving
Practical work
Yes
Before you start
  • Further Mathematics
  • Applied Mathematics
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor Marked Assignments
  • Final Examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

PHY102 · UNIT 1: ELECTRIC CHARGE, FORCE AND FIELD

The presentation schedule included in your course materials may show the important dates for the completion of tutor-marked assignments. Remember, you are required to submit all your assignments by the due date as dictated by your facilitator. You should guide against falling behind in your work.

What you should be able to do

  1. Describe the theory of electricity, magnetism, and electromagnetic radiation.
  2. Explain the concepts of electric and magnetic fields.
  3. Measure and compute electric current in DC and AC circuits.
  4. Illustrate the principles of electromagnetic induction.
  5. Describe the structure of the nuclear atom.
  6. Distinguish between nuclear fusion and nuclear fission.

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Electrical Engineer
  • Electronics Engineer
  • Telecommunications Engineer
  • Instrumentation Engineer
  • Research Scientist
Where it is applied
  • Power Generation
  • Telecommunications
  • Electronics Manufacturing
  • Medical Imaging
  • Renewable Energy
Tools
  • Multimeters
  • Oscilloscopes
  • Circuit Simulation Software

Where it gets hard

The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.

  • Module 1: Electrostatics

    Unit 2: Gauss's Law

    Application of Gauss's law to non-symmetric charge distributions requires advanced mathematical skills and conceptual understanding of vector calculus.

  • Module 2: Current Electricity

    Unit 7: Direct-Current Circuits and Instruments

    Analyzing complex DC circuits with multiple sources and non-linear components demands strong problem-solving abilities and circuit analysis techniques.

  • Module 4: Modern Physics

    Unit 12: Magnetic Properties of Matter

    The concepts of magnetization and hysteresis involve complex domain theory and require a deep understanding of material properties.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 45 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Electrostatics
    • Unit 1: Electric Charge, Force and Field · 3 hours

      Understand the types of electric charge and the principle of superposition.. Solve problems using Coulomb's law to calculate electrostatic forces.. Sketch electric field lines for simple charge distributions..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Electrostatics
    • Unit 2: Gauss's Law · 3 hours

      Define electric flux and relate it to electric field strength and surface area.. Apply Gauss's law to calculate electric fields in symmetrical charge distributions.. Solve problems involving spherical, linear, and planar symmetry..

  3. Week 3Module 1: Electrostatics
    • Unit 3: Electric Potential · 3 hours

      Compute the work done in moving a charge within an electric field.. Calculate the electric potential due to a single charge and a system of charges.. Relate electric potential and electric field..

  4. Week 4Module 1: Electrostatics
    • Unit 4: Potential for Continuous Charge Distribution And Energy · 3 hours

      Obtain expressions for potential due to continuous charge distributions.. Calculate electrostatic potential energy for a given charge distribution.. Demonstrate that the electrostatic force is conservative..

  5. Week 5Module 2: Current Electricity
    • Unit 5: Dielectrics and Capacitors · 3 hours

      Explain the properties of a dielectric medium.. Define capacitance and permittivity.. Compute the energy of a charged capacitor..

  6. Week 6Module 2: Current Electricity
    • Unit 6: Electric Current · 3 hours

      Explain the concept of electric current and current density.. Define resistance, resistivity, and conductivity.. Explain electromotive force and internal resistance..

  7. Week 7Module 2: Current Electricity
    • Unit 7: Direct-Current Circuits and Instruments · 3 hours

      Solve problems involving series and parallel combinations of resistors.. Apply Kirchhoff's rules to solve network problems.. Understand the principles of Wheatstone's bridge and potentiometer..

  8. Week 8Module 3: Magnetism
    • Unit 8: The Magnetic Field · 3 hours

      Understand the concept of the magnetic field and Fleming's left-hand rule.. Define magnetic field in terms of force on a current element.. Use the Biot-Savart law to compute magnetic fields..

  9. Week 9Module 3: Magnetism
    • Unit 9: Motion of Charge Particles in Electric and Magnetic Field · 3 hours

      Analyze the motion of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields.. Explain the helical trajectory of a charged particle in a magnetic field.. Understand the working principle of the Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (CRO)..

  10. Week 10Module 3: Magnetism
    • Unit 10: Electrolysis and Cells · 3 hours

      Explain the phenomenon of electrolysis.. Define Faraday's laws of electrolysis.. Describe the principles of operation of primary and secondary cells..

  11. Week 11Module 4: Modern Physics
    • Unit 11: Thermal Effects of Electric Currents And Electric Power · 3 hours

      Understand the conversion of electrical energy to thermal energy.. State Joule's law of heat generation.. Define the kilowatt-hour and solve problems involving electrical energy conversion..

  12. Week 12Module 4: Modern Physics
    • Unit 12: Magnetic Properties of Matter · 3 hours

      Define magnetization vector, magnetic susceptibility, and permeability.. Distinguish between diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic materials.. Explain magnetization and demagnetization of ferromagnetic materials..

    • Unit 13: Terrestrial Magnetism · 3 hours

      Describe the Earth's magnetic field and its elements.. Explain the determination of declination and dip.. Discuss changes in magnetic elements and magnetic maps..

  13. Week 13Module 4: Modern Physics
    • Unit 14: Electromagnetic Induction I · 3 hours

      Understand the principles of electromagnetic induction and Faraday's law.. Explain Lenz's law.. Describe the design and operation of AC and DC generators..

    • Unit 15: Electromagnetic Induction 11 · 3 hours

      Explain the principles of transformer operation.. Define mutual and self-inductance.. Calculate the time constant of an R-L circuit and describe transients..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Review all key definitions and formulas from each unit.
  • Practice solving numerical problems from the TMAs and self-assessment exercises.
  • Create concept maps linking electric fields, magnetic fields, and electromagnetic induction.
  • Focus on understanding circuit analysis techniques, including Kirchhoff's laws and phasor diagrams.
  • Study the characteristics of different types of magnetic materials and their applications.
  • Review the principles of operation of common electrical instruments like ammeters, voltmeters, and oscilloscopes.
  • Understand the differences between nuclear fission and fusion and their energy implications.

Questions students ask about this course

What is PHY102 about?

This course introduces the fundamental principles of electricity, magnetism, and modern physics. It explores the relationship between electric and magnetic fields, electromagnetic induction, and alternating current theory. Students will learn about electric charges, forces, fields, and their applications in circuits and instruments. The course also covers terrestrial magnetism, electromagnetic induction, and basic concepts of modern physics, including quantum theory and energy levels in atoms.

How many units does PHY102 have?

PHY102, Electricity, Magnetism And Modern Physics, has 14 units across 1 module, over 343 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is PHY102?

PHY102 carries 3 credit units, at 100 level in Sciences.

Is PHY102 hard?

PHY102 is rated intermediate level, with intermediate mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical, practical and problem solving work, and it has a practical component.

How long does PHY102 take to study?

About 150 hours of study, spread across its 14 units.

How is PHY102 assessed?

PHY102 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assignments and Final Examination.

What do I need before starting PHY102?

Further Mathematics Applied Mathematics

What can I do with PHY102?

Electrical Engineer, Electronics Engineer, Telecommunications Engineer, Instrumentation Engineer and Research Scientist.

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