PHYSICS 7B

Course Number: Physics 7B

Course Name: Thermodynamics, electricity, Magnetism

Unit: 4

Offered: FA/SP/SUM

Requirement Satisfied: CORE

Concentration(s): all

Summary: The course is an intro to basic physics concepts involving electricity and magnetism. Course topics expand on AP physics C material. The course follows the textbook; exams will vary in difficulty.

Official Prerequisites: Physics 7A; Math 1A; Math 1B; Math 53 (concurrently)

“Legit” Prerequisites: Math 53 (you will need triple integrals)

Topics Covered: Thermal Expansion; Ideal Gas Law; Kinetic Theory Gasses; Phase Diagrams; Laws of Thermodynamics; Adiabatic Process; Electric Charge/Force/Field/Dipole/Flux/Potential; Gauss’s Law; Capacitors; Current; Ohm’s Law; Resistors; DC Circuit; Magnetic Force/Dipole/Torque; Hall Effect; Ampere’s Law; Biot Savart Law; Electromagnetic Induction; Inductance; Faraday’s Law; LR/LC Circuits; Maxwell’s Equations

Workload: Mastering Physics is annoying but manageable.

When to Take: Freshman Spring or Sophomore Year

“What’s next” Courses: Physics 137A

Usefulness for research/internships: If you’re going to be doing electrical things, the basic knowledge of electricity and circuits is a big plus. However, topics do not go in depth enough to be of any meaningful use in the real world.

Added Comments or Tips: Don’t forget to do mastering physics; don’t sleep on the thermodynamics because you already covered it in 4b. Read the textbook and go to both GSI and Professor office hours. Read the textbook and go to both GSI and Professor office hours.