2023

General Physics II

Name: General Physics II
Code: FIS13009L
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area: Physics

Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Regime de Frequência: Presencial

Presentation

The course provides an introduction into the fields of Classical Electrodynamics, Optics and Modern Physics. The level of the presentation is intermediate, with a moderate use of calculus.
The solution of exercise problems and laboratory work complement the theoretical classes.

Sustainable Development Goals

Learning Goals

The disciplines of Física Geral I e II (General Physics I and II) should be considered together for the general objectives in this course. A variety of physical phenomena and concepts, fundamental for the understanding of the present scientific and technological progress, are presented, relating Physics - both in the classical and more recent fields - to the other Sciences and Engineering, and giving an up-to-date perspective of some of the contemporary research subjects. In a qualitative way, we intend to interest the students in most of the main subjects in Physics, including some more recent topics they were never taught in secondary school. Besides, we want to promote their abstract thinking skills, applying elementary mathematical techniques, as well as initiate them to laboratory work, because most of the students never participated in experimental classes.

Contents

I. Electromagnetism
Electrostatics. Electric charges and forces. Gauss’s law
Electric potential. Capacitors
Electric current. Kirchhoff’s rules. RC circuits
Magnetic fields and the Lorentz force
Sources of the magnetic field. Magnetism in matter
Electromagnetic induction. Faraday’s law
AC-current
Maxwell’s equations
Electromagnetic waves. Polarization
II. Optics
Nature of light. Geometric optics. Image formation by mirrors and lenses
Wave optics. Double-slit experiment. Diffraction and interference
III. Modern physics
Special relativity. Time dilation and Lorentz contraction. Relativistic momentum and energy
Introduction to quantum physics. Particle properties of light. Photoelectric effect and Compton scattering. Waveparticle
duality. Uncertainty principle. Wave function
Atoms. Atomic spectra. Hydrogen atom in quantum mechanics. Periodic table of the elements
Nuclear physics. Stability and instability of nuclei. Elementar particles. Contemporary physics.

Teaching Methods

• Presentations of the subjects in lectures to the students (sometimes using video projections). Solution of exercise problems. Experimental laboratory work.

• Evaluation:
The theoretical component of this UC can be assessed through two tests during the semester or a final exam. Students who did not take the first test or who scored less than 8 points must take the final exam. There is also an appeal exam, but without the possibility of repeating only one test.

The practical component of this course evaluates the reports of the laboratory work performed in small groups. Laboratory work requires the continuous presence of the students in and cannot be replaced by any type of final experimental exam.

The final mark of this course is calculated as 70% of the mark of the theoretical component and 30% of the mark of the practical component, with the necessary condition that neither of the two marks can be lower than 8 points.

Teaching Staff