General Physics with Calculus II Laboratory (Electricity, Magnetism, and Optics)

Course Description

PHY2049L – General Physics with Calculus II Laboratory is a 1-credit, laboratory-only course that provides the hands-on experimental component of the second semester of calculus-based physics. Students conduct experiments covering the topics studied in the companion lecture course PHY2049 (Physics with Calculus II): electrostatics, electric fields and potential, capacitance, DC circuits, magnetism, electromagnetic induction, AC circuits, electromagnetic waves, geometric and wave optics, and selected topics in modern physics. Students collect and analyze experimental data using algebra, geometry, and calculus, and prepare formal experiment reports.

The course sits within the Florida Statewide Course Numbering System (SCNS) under Physical Sciences > Physics and is offered at approximately 28 Florida public institutions. PHY2049L is structured as a standalone laboratory course — distinct from the integrated lecture-and-lab format of PHY2049C. Students whose institution offers the standalone laboratory typically take PHY2049 (lecture, 3 credits) and PHY2049L (lab, 1 credit) concurrently or in sequence. The combined credit of PHY2049 + PHY2049L equals the integrated PHY2049C.

This is the second laboratory course in the calculus-based physics sequence required for engineering, physics, mathematics, and computer engineering majors. The algebra-based equivalent for pre-health and biological sciences majors is PHY2054L; students should confirm with their advisor which sequence is appropriate for their major.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of PHY2049L, students will be able to:

• Apply the scientific method in laboratory contexts involving electrical, magnetic, and optical phenomena.
• Use standard electrical and optical laboratory instruments: digital multimeters, oscilloscopes, function generators, power supplies, optical benches, lasers, lenses and mirrors.
• Apply calculus-based electromagnetic theory in experimental analysis.
• Conduct experiments verifying Coulomb's law and the inverse-square law for light intensity.
• Conduct experiments on DC circuits applying Ohm's law, Kirchhoff's rules, series and parallel resistor and capacitor combinations.
• Investigate RC circuits experimentally, measuring time constants and capacitor charging/discharging behavior.
• Conduct experiments on magnetic fields and electromagnetic induction, including measurements of magnetic field strength and induced EMF.
• Conduct experiments on geometric optics: image formation by mirrors and lenses; the thin-lens equation; optical instruments.
• Conduct experiments on wave optics: interference (Young's double-slit); diffraction (single-slit, diffraction grating); polarization.
• Apply statistical analysis of experimental data: error propagation, linear regression, and assessment of fit between theory and experiment.
• Prepare formal laboratory reports in standard scientific format.
• Demonstrate electrical safety practices, including proper handling of circuits, awareness of voltage and current hazards, and laser safety.

Optional Outcomes

Depending on instructor and institutional emphasis, students may also:

• Conduct AC circuit experiments: RLC resonance, impedance, phasor analysis.
• Investigate spectroscopy using grating spectrometers (atomic emission spectra of hydrogen, helium, mercury).
• Conduct modern physics demonstrations: photoelectric effect, blackbody radiation, atomic spectra, radioactive decay.
• Use computer-based data acquisition systems (Vernier, PASCO).
• Conduct open-ended or inquiry-based laboratory exercises.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Electrostatics: Electric charge; Coulomb's law verification; the inverse-square law; electric field mapping.
• Electric Potential and Capacitance: Equipotential surfaces; potential difference measurements; parallel-plate capacitors; energy storage.
• DC Circuits: Ohm's law verification; Pouillet's law (resistivity); series and parallel circuits; Kirchhoff's rules; voltmeter and ammeter internal resistance; battery EMF and internal resistance.
• RC Circuits: Capacitor charging and discharging; measurement of time constants; energy stored in capacitors.
• Magnetism: Magnetic field of a solenoid (Slinky experiments are common); magnetic field of a current-carrying wire; force on a current-carrying conductor in a magnetic field; the e/m experiment.
• Electromagnetic Induction: Faraday's law; induced EMF; Lenz's law demonstrations; transformers.
• Geometric Optics: Reflection and refraction; index of refraction measurement; thin-lens and mirror equations; image formation; the human eye and optical instruments.
• Wave Optics: Young's double-slit interference; single-slit diffraction; diffraction gratings; the wavelength of laser light; polarization (Malus's law).
• Spectroscopy (Often Included): Atomic emission spectra; the grating spectrometer; the Balmer series of hydrogen.
• Data Analysis and Graphing: Linearization of nonlinear relationships; linear regression; uncertainty in derived quantities.
• Formal Laboratory Report Writing: Standard scientific report structure; proper figure and table presentation; uncertainty reporting.

Optional Topics

• AC Circuit Analysis: RLC resonance; impedance and phase relationships; phasor diagrams.
• Modern Physics Experiments: Photoelectric effect; the Franck-Hertz experiment; radioactive decay and counting statistics.
• Computer-Based Data Acquisition: Vernier or PASCO probe-ware for high-precision electrical and optical measurements.
• Magnetic Hysteresis: B-H curves of ferromagnetic materials.
• Open-Ended Inquiry Projects: Student-designed experiments on a chosen topic.

Resources & Tools

• Lab manuals: Most institutions use a custom lab manual or commercial alternatives. Common commercial choices include lab manuals from Pearson, Cengage, or Hayden-McNeil. Many Florida institutions have moved to free, instructor-generated lab packets.
• Companion lecture textbook (recommended): University Physics with Modern Physics by Young and Freedman (Pearson); Physics for Scientists and Engineers by Serway and Jewett (Cengage); Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday, Resnick, and Walker (Wiley); OpenStax University Physics Volumes 2 and 3 (free).
• Laboratory equipment: DC and AC power supplies; digital multimeters; oscilloscopes; function generators; resistor and capacitor sets; inductors; magnetic field sensors and Hall probes; bar magnets and electromagnets; optical benches with light sources, lenses, and mirrors; lasers and diffraction gratings; polarizers; grating spectrometers.
• Data analysis software: Vernier Logger Pro; PASCO Capstone; Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets; Python or Matlab for advanced sections.
• Open simulation resources: PhET Interactive Simulations (University of Colorado, free) — circuit construction, electric field hockey, optics simulations.
• Reference standards: American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) guidelines for laboratory instruction.

Career Pathways

PHY2049L completes the year-long calculus-based laboratory sequence required for engineering, physics, and most STEM majors. Florida-relevant career pathways include:

• Electrical Engineer — Florida's electronics, telecommunications, and aerospace industries.
• Optical Engineer / Photonics Engineer — UCF's CREOL (Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers) is one of the country's leading optics centers; Florida hosts photonics employers including Lockheed Martin's missiles and fire-control division.
• Computer Engineer / Hardware Engineer — Tampa, Miami, and Orlando tech sectors.
• Aerospace Engineer — Kennedy Space Center; Lockheed Martin Space; Boeing; SpaceX; Blue Origin.
• Physicist — pathway through SUS BS programs and graduate study.
• Biomedical Engineer — Florida's healthcare device industry; medical imaging applications.
• Renewable Energy Engineer — Florida's growing solar industry.
• Mathematics or Physics Teacher (secondary) — pathway through Florida math/physics education BS degrees.

Special Information

Articulation and Transfer

PHY2049L is part of the Florida common course numbering system and articulates seamlessly to all SUS institutions. The combination of PHY2049 (3 cr) + PHY2049L (1 cr) is equivalent to the integrated PHY2049C (4 cr) at institutions that offer the latter format. SUS engineering and physics programs accept either combination.

Calculus-Based vs. Algebra-Based Physics

Critical distinction: PHY2049L is the calculus-based laboratory required for engineering, physics, mathematics, and computer engineering. The algebra-based equivalent is PHY2054L. Students must know which sequence is required for their major:

• Engineering, physics, mathematics, computer engineering → calculus-based: PHY2048/PHY2048L (or PHY2048C) and PHY2049/PHY2049L (or PHY2049C).
• Pre-health, biological sciences, agricultural sciences → algebra-based: PHY2053/PHY2053L (or PHY2053C) and PHY2054/PHY2054L (or PHY2054C).

Prerequisites and Co-requisites

Standard prerequisites include PHY2048 with a minimum grade of C and PHY2048L with a minimum grade of C, and a co-requisite of PHY2049 (the lecture course). Some institutions also list MAC2312 (Calculus II) as a co-requisite. Specific policies vary; check your institution's catalog.

Course Format and Workload

PHY2049L typically meets once per week for 2–3 hours. Expect 8–12 experiments across the semester, each requiring pre-lab preparation and post-lab analysis. Out-of-class workload is typically 3–5 hours per week. Lab reports for PHY2049L are generally considered more demanding than PHY2048L because of the additional mathematical complexity of electromagnetic phenomena and the need for careful uncertainty analysis with electrical measurements.

Position in the STEM Curriculum

PHY2049L completes the year-long calculus-based physics laboratory sequence (PHY2048L + PHY2049L) required for engineering and physics degrees throughout the SUS. At UCF, students may continue into PHY3101 (General Physics Using Calculus III) for upper-division work; other SUS institutions have similar third-semester options for physics majors.

Course Code Variations

Florida institutions consistently use PHY2049L for this course. Titles vary slightly: "Physics with Calculus II Laboratory," "General Physics with Calculus II Lab," "Physics Laboratory for Engineers and Scientists II," "General Physics Using Calculus II Laboratory," and "Physics 2 with Calculus Lab" all refer to the same SCNS course.