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PHY132

Electricity, Magnetism And Modern Physics

  • Sciences
  • 100 level
  • 2 credit units
  • 343 pages
  • 13 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. The course also covers basic concepts of modern physics, including quantum theory and energy levels in atoms. Students will learn to apply these principles to real-world situations and develop a foundation for further study in physics and related fields.

About this course

Difficulty
Intermediate
Study hours
150 hours
Maths
Intermediate
Content
Theoretical, problem solving
Practical work
Yes
How it is assessed
  • Assignments
  • Tutor Marked Assessments
  • Final Examination

One paragraph, so you can see how it reads

PHY132 · 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 d.c and a.c circuits
  4. Illustrate the principles of electromagnetic induction
  5. Describe the structure of the nuclear atom

What it prepares you for

Careers
  • Electrical Engineer
  • Electronics Technician
  • Physics Teacher
  • Research Scientist
  • Telecommunications Engineer
Where it is applied
  • Power Generation
  • Telecommunications
  • Medical Imaging
  • Electronics Manufacturing
  • 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

    Gauss's law requires a strong understanding of vector calculus and spatial reasoning to apply it effectively to various charge distributions.

  • Module 3: Direct Current Circuits and Magnetism

    Unit 7: Direct-Current Circuits and Instruments

    Kirchhoff's rules involve solving systems of linear equations, which can be challenging for students with weaker mathematical backgrounds.

A suggested way through it

Suggested

13 weeks, about 65 hours in total. Yours will differ.

  1. Week 1Module 1: Electrostatics
    • Unit 1: Electric Charge, Force and Field · 5 hours

      Read the unit introduction and objectives.. Study the types of charges and the law of conservation of charge.. Solve problems using Coulomb's law.. Practice sketching electric field lines..

  2. Week 2Module 1: Electrostatics
    • Unit 1: Electric Charge, Force and Field · 5 hours

      Study the principle of superposition.. Calculate the vector sum of electric field strength.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3.

  3. Week 3Module 1: Electrostatics
    • Unit 2: Gauss's Law · 5 hours

      Understand electric flux and its relation to field strength.. Learn Gauss's Law and its applications.. Solve problems involving spherical symmetry.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 1..

  4. Week 4Module 1: Electrostatics
    • Unit 2: Gauss's Law · 5 hours

      Apply Gauss's Law to linear and planar symmetry.. Understand the concept of a Gaussian surface.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 2 and 3..

  5. Week 5Module 1: Electrostatics
    • Unit 3: Electric Potential · 5 hours

      Define electric potential and equipotential surfaces.. Calculate potential due to a point charge.. Study potential due to a system of charges.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 1.

  6. Week 6Module 1: Electrostatics
    • Unit 3: Electric Potential · 5 hours

      Understand potential difference and its relation to electric field.. Compute electric field and potential of an electric dipole.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 2 and 3..

  7. Week 7Module 1: Electrostatics
    • Unit 4: Potential for Continuous Charge Distribution and Energy · 5 hours

      Study potential due to continuous charge distributions.. Calculate electrostatic potential energy.. Understand the nature of electrostatic force.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment..

  8. Week 8Module 2: Electricity and Magnetism
    • Unit 5: Dielectrics and Capacitors · 5 hours

      Define capacitance and permittivity.. Study the parallel plate capacitor.. Compute the energy of a charged capacitor.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 1 and 2..

  9. Week 9Module 2: Electricity and Magnetism
    • Unit 5: Dielectrics and Capacitors · 5 hours

      Understand combinations of capacitors in series and parallel.. Explain dielectric strength and breakdown.. Distinguish between various types of capacitors.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 3 and 4..

  10. Week 10Module 3: Direct Current Circuits and Magnetism
    • Unit 6: Electric Current · 5 hours

      Define electric current and current density.. Understand resistance, resistivity, and conductivity.. Study electromotive force and internal resistance.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 1 and 2..

  11. Week 11Module 3: Direct Current Circuits and Magnetism
    • Unit 7: Direct-Current Circuits and Instruments · 5 hours

      Apply Kirchhoff's rules to solve circuit problems.. Understand ammeters and voltmeters.. Study the Wheatstone bridge and potentiometer.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment 3, 4 and 5..

  12. Week 12Module 3: Direct Current Circuits and Magnetism
    • Unit 8: The Magnetic Field · 5 hours

      Understand the magnetic field and its properties.. Study fields due to magnets and currents.. Calculate force on a current in a magnetic field.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment..

  13. Week 13Module 3: Direct Current Circuits and Magnetism
    • Unit 9: Motion of Charge Particles in Electric and Magnetic Fields · 5 hours

      Study motion in electric and magnetic fields.. Understand the Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (CRO).. Learn about Lorentz force and its applications.. Complete Tutor Marked Assignment..

Preparing for the exam

What to do
  • Review all key definitions and formulas from each unit
  • Practice solving numerical problems from TMAs and examples
  • Create concept maps linking electric and magnetic field concepts
  • Focus on understanding applications of electromagnetic induction
  • Review modern physics concepts like photoelectric effect and nuclear structure

Questions students ask about this course

What is PHY132 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. The course also covers basic concepts of modern physics, including quantum theory and energy levels in atoms. Students will learn to apply these principles to real-world situations and develop a foundation for further study in physics and related fields.

How many units does PHY132 have?

PHY132, Electricity, Magnetism And Modern Physics, has 13 units across 1 module, over 343 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.

How many credit units is PHY132?

PHY132 carries 2 credit units, at 100 level in Sciences.

Is PHY132 hard?

PHY132 is rated intermediate level, with intermediate mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical and problem solving work, and it has a practical component.

How long does PHY132 take to study?

About 150 hours of study, spread across its 13 units.

How is PHY132 assessed?

PHY132 is assessed by Assignments, Tutor Marked Assessments and Final Examination.

What can I do with PHY132?

Electrical Engineer, Electronics Technician, Physics Teacher, Research Scientist and Telecommunications Engineer.

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