What is Physics ii: Definition and 37 Discussions

Physics (from Ancient Greek: φυσική (ἐπιστήμη), romanized: physikḗ (epistḗmē), lit. 'knowledge of nature', from φύσις phýsis 'nature') is the natural science that studies matter, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. Physics is one of the most fundamental scientific disciplines, and its main goal is to understand how the universe behaves.Physics is one of the oldest academic disciplines and, through its inclusion of astronomy, perhaps the oldest. Over much of the past two millennia, physics, chemistry, biology, and certain branches of mathematics were a part of natural philosophy, but during the Scientific Revolution in the 17th century these natural sciences emerged as unique research endeavors in their own right. Physics intersects with many interdisciplinary areas of research, such as biophysics and quantum chemistry, and the boundaries of physics are not rigidly defined. New ideas in physics often explain the fundamental mechanisms studied by other sciences and suggest new avenues of research in academic disciplines such as mathematics and philosophy.
Advances in physics often enable advances in new technologies. For example, advances in the understanding of electromagnetism, solid-state physics, and nuclear physics led directly to the development of new products that have dramatically transformed modern-day society, such as television, computers, domestic appliances, and nuclear weapons; advances in thermodynamics led to the development of industrialization; and advances in mechanics inspired the development of calculus.

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  1. Roverse

    An equilateral triangle's electric field at its center

    Homework Statement Three 18-cm long rods form an equilateral triangle. Two of the rods are charged to +10 nC, and the third to - 10 nC. What is the electric field strength at the center of the triangle? Homework Equations $$ \vec{E} = \frac{k*q}{r^2} $$ The Attempt at a Solution 1. Draw...
  2. Eclair_de_XII

    If you were a Physics II teacher, what would you do here?

    You're proctoring an exam, and a student who wears glasses uses those glasses to try and solve one of the optics problems. Do you fail him?
  3. Derp215

    Admissions Reapplying to Engineering: Physics II, Calc II Or ODE?

    Hello, I just came across this forum and thought of asking for advice! I am reapplying to Engineering and I am taking summer school (Full term) and need to take 2 more classes to boost my avg. Right now, I am enrolled in Physics II, Calculus III, and ODE and I have to choose two out of the...
  4. clamatoman

    Solving for RMS current of a resistor, help?

    Homework Statement A resistor connected across an AC power supply has a current given by I=(1.35A)cos(300t) when connected to a power supply with emf 120 V rms. Find the RMS current. Homework Equations IRMS=Imax/√2 The Attempt at a Solution IRMS=Imax/√2 IRMS=0.477 A INCORRECT Not exactly sure...
  5. mrnike992

    Good resources for Physics II?

    I'm struggling just a little bit in Physics II ("An introduction to electricity, magnetism, and light, with emphasis on topics needed by engineering students" as described by the course listing), and I was wondering if there were any good resources to supplement my book, lecture, recitation...
  6. S

    What is q and what is the charge (negative or positive)?

    Three identical point charges, each of mass m 0.10kg and charge q, hang from three strings, as pictured below. The lengths of the left and right strings are L 30.0cm and the angle is 45.0o. Just on looking at the picture I think the charge is positive since there is tension separation the...
  7. T

    Failing Physics and Calc II in the same summer

    Just failed my physics and calc 2 class in the same summer, where do I go from here? Or is it just due to the fact that i the classes were just 5 weeks?
  8. Domenico94

    Exploring Magnets & NMR Schemes in Physics II

    Hi everyone...I'm just looking nmr schemes, and magnets, and, at the same time, studying Physics II and electromagnetic fields at my faculty of electronics engineering. I know this may sound like a "dumb" question, and I don't want to sound like councited or similar stuff, but I was just asking...
  9. A

    [College Physics II: Waves/Optics] Index of Refraction

    Homework Statement A solid glass cube with edge length of 10.0 mm and index of refraction n=1.75 has a small, dark spot dead center of the cube. Find the minimum radius of black paper circles that could be pasted at the center of each cube face to prevent the center spot from being seen, no...
  10. sheldonrocks97

    Is it Weird I Find Physics II easier than Physics I?

    Is it weird that I find physics II easier than physics I? I am currently in Physics II at university and flying through it with an A. However, I took Physics I at Community College and BARELY got a B. On my tests so far this semester I got a 87 on the first one and a 97 on the second one. In...
  11. D

    What is your proposed list of experiences for a Physics II (Electricity and Magnetism) laboratory?

    I'm a new TA in a physics laboratory and we're going to redesign experiences for fundamental physics II lab that is a semester course on electricity and magnetism for undergraduates in their 2nd year. What is your proposed list of experiences for a Physics II (Electricity and Magnetism)...
  12. sheldonrocks97

    Is General Physics II harder than General Physics I?

    I am transferring from community college to university in the fall with only General Physics I completed, so I need to take General Physics II at university. I felt like I did okay in Physics I (I got a B), but I definitely would like to review some of the topics in that class, so what topics...
  13. Ascendant78

    Good textbook to complement Physics II?

    I am currently taking Physics II and need a good textbook to complement my course. We are using a free one, Spiral Physics, which is relatively worthless. It explains very basic concepts, but gives very few (if any) real-world examples and at least half the answers in the back for Physics II...
  14. B

    Physics II: Electricity/Magnetism Conceptual Help

    I am having some conceptual trouble in my physics II class right now. The book is not that good, and I am looking for a website that has good conceptual practice. Do any of you know a website like this? My professors conceptual quizzes are killing me right now, and it would be much appreciated.
  15. B

    How Hard Is Physics II: Electricity, And Magnetism?

    So I am taking Physics II this fall semester. I am an engineering major, and I am currently split between mechanical, and civil. My questions is how hard will the class be for me? I have already done the three semesters of calculus including a vector calculus extension. I got an A in calc III...
  16. E

    How can I improve my performance in Physics II?

    Having Issues in Physics II :( Hi all, This is my first post on these forums, although I have lurked here for a little while here and there and I have to say I greatly appreciate the helpful topics you guys post! I have used them to get more than a few problems done... haha. Anyway, the...
  17. J

    Three point charge in a plane (electricity in physics II)

    Homework Statement Three charges are located in the x-y plane (see plot below), with Q1 = -6.00 μC, Q2 = 5.00 μC and Q3 = -3.00 μC. Note that the charges are located at grid intersections points. *I couldn't put the grid on here, but the points are Q1 = (-2,-4), Q2 = (-2, 2). and Q3 = (3...
  18. T

    Where Can I Take General Physics II in Summer I?

    Hey guys, I'm going to graduate in July. I need to take General Physics II to graduate in summer. Do you guys know which colleges offer General Physics II in Summer I? Thank you very much.
  19. N

    Importance of learning Physics II in the long run?

    I'm currently taking Calculus-based Physics II, an introductory to electromagnetism. While I'm working hard to understand the material as deeply and intuitively as possible, I wonder how much of the material will be useful later on? I am seeing a bunch of concepts such as electric potential V...
  20. QuarkCharmer

    Looking for Entertaining Physics II Video Series - Any Recommendations?

    I found it very entertaining last semester watching Walter Lewin lecture on Physics I topics whilst taking the course and reading my textbook. I'd sad to see that he doesn't have a video set for physics II topics! (waves, electrostatics, et al.) Does anyone know of a similar style video...
  21. B

    Simplifying multiple trig functions into a single trig function for physics II

    Homework Statement It has been a while since I have really been involved in trig seriously, But I felt it appropriate to go in this particular forum because in my classes from years back "precal" was the title associated with trig (: The Problem: sin(X) / sin(X/2)...
  22. N

    Physics II in comparison with Physics I?

    Alright here is my story: I took high school physics and loved it, went to college and took a class that is basically an algebra based physics class and a very light introductory just because I couldn't wait to get my hands on physics. When I was able to take Calculus based physics I did-- but...
  23. P

    Physics II forgotten equation (oscillations)

    I am reviewing for a test on oscillations and I have no clue how I derived a formula I used for my homework. Could anyone help me figure out where the equation v=w{\sqrt{A^2x^2}} comes from? Thank you.
  24. K

    College Physics II Charge/ Coulombs Law

    Homework Statement A point particle that has a charge of 14.5 µC is located at x = 0, y = 0 and a point particle that has a charge q is located at x = 11.6 cm, y = 0. The electric force on a point particle that has a charge of 5.8 µC at x = 23.2 cm, y = 0 is -(19.7) N ihat. Determine the...
  25. U

    Good book for Classical Physics II?

    Hey, I am starting this course very shortly, and I always found that the books the professor recommended, I couldn't quite understand. So these are my syllables: Electrostatics: electric charge and field, Coulomb law, Gauss law; potential; energy; conductors; Poisson and Laplace equations and...
  26. A

    Physics II: Determine Electric Field Intensity for Equilibrium

    Homework Statement Two 3.0 g spheres are suspended by 9.0 cm long light strings. A uniform electric field is applied in the x direction. If the spheres have charges of -4.X10-8 C(coulomb) and +4.X10-8 C, determine the electric field intensity that enables the spheres to be in equilibrium...
  27. N

    Calc III and Physics II online, over the summer?

    I'm starting to think about next semester's schedule, and it looks if I won't be able to take Physics II b/c I retook calc I (had AP credit but didn't use it). Calc II is a Pre-req for Physics II. I really want to be a physics minor, or even double major. If I took Physics II over the...
  28. M

    Preparing for Physics II: Do I Need to Review Mechanics First?

    I'm going to be taking Physics II with calculus next semester and honestly, I don't remember anything from Mechanics. I took it last year and I have horrible memory. Do you still think I'll do well in Physics II if I study hard and do problems with no previous knowledge of mechanics/physics I or...
  29. M

    Best Introductory Physics II books

    I'm going to be taking second semester physics (calculus based) which is basically the E&M portion of the book and waves. I want some good textbooks and book recommendations. Like good books for understanding the materials. Do you think A treatise on E&M by Maxwell is too advanced for me or...
  30. D

    Physics II Lab - Fizeau's Experiment - Speed of Light

    Homework Statement I know that the light wave must travel 17.3 km or 17300 meters. I found experimentally that the frequency should be 2200 Hz. I picked it from a pool ranging from 0 Hz to 5600 Hz. The goal was to see what frequency was required to get the light to pass correctly through a...
  31. X

    Good College Physics II Review?

    Hello, I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good review guide for a general physics II college course? We've covered all the general topics: Gauss' Law, Coulomb's Law, electric and magnetic fields, forces, capacitors, solenoids, transformers, flux, alternating current, etc. On...
  32. L

    Taking Physics II over the Summer

    I have a bit of a dilemma coming up over the this summer. Due to the small size of my physics department most courses beyond Physics I and II are only offered once every year. I am in Physics I now and plan to take Physics II during a short semester over the summer(5 weeks) to get on the right...
  33. A

    Testing 50 MC Physics II (E&M) Final Exam

    Equation sheet limited to twenty equations spanning material from electrostatics to mutual induction. Halliday Resnick chapters 21-31. 2 hours. Seems like some questions depended on you having the equation accessible, which is a matter of chance. Core exams were usually 12 MC and 3-4...
  34. C

    Need Help with General Physics II Homework? Get Expert Assistance Today!

    Homework Statement See attached Homework Equations N/A The Attempt at a Solution I tried to do some of this, but I'm not even sure where to start. I'm so confused. I don't have the textbook yet neither as it hasn't come in the mail, so I can't reference it. My professor has a very...
  35. clope023

    Taking Physics II Over Summer: Options & Ideas

    hello, just a small question on taking phy II over the summer. my schools gone through a great deal of budget cuts and we're not left with a lot of options with regards to classes here. physics II is offered once in the first 6 week semester, may to june. once in the 2nd 6 week...
  36. M

    Calculating Critical Angle and Single Color Angle in Optical-Quality Glass

    Help!Physics II question! A white light source is below the lower surface of a piece of optical-quality glass. The glass has an index of refraction of 1.520 for red light and 1.538 for violet. If you were able to move your eye at any angle relative to the perpendicular to the glass, calculate...
  37. F

    Reviewing physics I in my physics II class and having trouble

    1)Wiley Coyote is chasing the roadrunner yet again. While running down the road, they come to a deep gorge, 15 m straight across and 78 m deep. The roadrunner launches itself across the gorge at a launch angle of 12 degrees above the horizontal, and lands with 2.4 m to spare. The acceleration...
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