Applied Physics – Fall 2020

Course outline: The outline can be downloaded here.

Venue and Class timings: Following are the section-wise details:

  • BCS 1A: 08:00 am to 9:20 am, Wednesday and Friday, Room: E&M 11, EE Building.
  • BCS 1B: 09:30 am to 10:50 am, Wednesday and Friday, Room: E&M 11, EE Building.

Office Hours:

Please visit CS faculty meeting room on Wednesday and Friday from 11:00 am – 11:30 am

Marking scheme:

Assignments 20%, Midterms (I+II) 30%, Final 50%
Quizzes are exempted by the university due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

MATLAB Manual:

  • An easy-to-understand MATLAB manual can be downloaded from the following link.
Course Content
  • Lecture 1: Course Strategic Planning & Overview of Vectors (Lecture Notes)
    • Course Breakdown (Download as PDF)
    • Why Mechanics?
    • Introduction to Vectors
    • Resolution of Vectors
    • Unit Vectors
  • Lecture 2: Vectors (Lecture Notes)
    • Philosophical Discussion on Physical Quantities
    • Physical Intuition of Unit Vectors
    • Scalar and Vector Product of Vectors
    • Numerical Problems
  • Lecture 3: Kinematics Tools (Lecture Notes)
    • Position and Displacement Vector
    • Average and Instantaneous Velocity
    • Average and Instantaneous Acceleration
    • Related Problems
  • Lecture 4: 1D and 2D Motions (Lecture Notes)
    • One Dimensional Motion
    • Projectile Motion (2D Motion)
    • Circular Motion (Reading Assignment)
    • Related Problems

Assignment 1: A1 (PDF) (Due Date: 7th October 2020) Solution: A1Sol (PDF)

  • Lecture 5: Numerical Problems of 1D and 2D Motions
  • Lecture 6: Dynamics of the Motion (Lecture Notes)
    • Newtonian Mechanics and its Limitations
    • Quick Overview of General Relativity and Quantum Mechanics
    • Define Force and Discuss its Characteristics in a Legitimate Way
    • Principle of Superposition
    • Frames of Reference (Inertial & Non-Inertial Ones)
    • Pseudo Forces (in Non-Inertial Frames)
    • Newton’s 1st and 2nd Law of Motion
    • Define Mass
    • Free-Body Diagram
  • Lecture 7: Particular Forces and Implementation of Newton’s Laws (Lecture Notes)
    • Exterior & Interior Forces
    • The Gravitational Force
    • Weight
    • The Normal Force
    • Frictional Force
    • Tension
  • Tutorial Session 1: Chapter 5 – Force & Motion-I
    • Video Lecture: Link
    • Video Lecture Notes (Download as PDF)
      • Solved Examples: 5.01, 5.01, 5.02, 5.03, 5.04, 5.06
      • Exercise Problems: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 17, 19, 23

Assignment 2: A2 (PDF) (Due Date: 14th October 2020) Solution: A2Sol (PDF)


Midterm-I Exam: MidI (PDF) + MidI – Solution (PDF) (20th October 2020)


  • Lecture 8: Introduction to MATLAB Programming Language
    • Quick Overview of MATLAB
    • Advantages and Uses of Using it
    • Notion of Syntax
    • Basic Arithmetic Operations
    • Lists and Matrix Operations
  • Lecture 9: Introduction to Oscillations (Lecture Notes)
    • Periodic Motion and Oscillations
    • Some Particular Examples
    • Kinematics of Oscillations
    • Physical Intuition of Phase and Phase Constant
    • Mathematical Formalism of Simple Harmonic Oscillation
    • Revision of Midterm Syllabus
  • Lecture 10: 1D and 2D Simple Harmonic Motion (Lecture Notes)
    • Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion
    • Linear (1D) SHM:
      • Mass Attached to a Spring System
      • Hook’s Law
    • Angular (2D) SHM:
      • Torsional Pendulum
      • Simple Pendulum
      • Angular Version of Hook’s Law
  • Lecture 11: Circular Motion and Damped SHM (Lecture Notes)
    • Circular Motion
    • Equivalence of SHM and Projections of Circular Motion
    • Graphical Intuition
    • Damped Simple Harmonic Motion
    • Natural and Driven Frequencies
    • Resonance
  • Tutorial Session 2: Chapter 15 – Oscillations
    • Video Lecture: Link
    • Video Lecture Notes (Download as PDF)
      • Solved Examples: 15.01, 15.02, 15.04
      • Exercise Problems: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 11, 38, 42
  • Lecture 12: Waves (Lecture Notes)
    • Brief Introduction of Waves
    • Types of Waves:
      • Mechanical Waves
        • Transverse Waves
        • Longitudinal Waves
      • Electromagnetic Waves
      • Matter Waves
    • Dynamics of Waves
    • Speed of a Travelling Wave
    • Principle of Superposition of Waves
    • Interference
  • Tutorial Session 3: Chapter 16 – Waves-I
    • Video Lecture: Link
    • Video Lecture Notes (Download as PDF)
      • Solved Examples: 16.01, 16.02, 16.04
      • Exercise Problems: 3, 4, 5, 7, 9, 10

Assignment 3: A3 (PDF) (Extended Due Date: 13th November 2020) Solution: A3Sol (PDF)

  • Lecture 13: Introduction to Electrostatics (Lecture Notes)
    • Introduce a Fundamental Quantity for an EM Theory
    • Define Charge as a Physical Quantity
    • Characteristics and Properties of a Charge
      • Quantization/Discretization
      • Conservation
    • Coulomb’s Law and its Limitations
    • Discussion on the Coulomb’s Constant and Permittivity of Free Space
    • Principle of Superposition
  • Lecture 14: Sample & Numerical Problems
    • Solved Examples: 21.01, 21.02, 21.03, 21.04
    • Exercise Problems: 3, 4, 5, 6, 13, 15, 26, 27, 28, 37, 41, 42
  • Lecture 15: Electric Fields (Lecture Notes)
    • Different Views of Fields
      • Newton/Coulomb View: “Action at a Distance”
      • Modern View: “Mediator of Force”
      • QFT View: Particle are “Excitation of Energy”
    • Electric Field and Its Detection
    • Electric Field Lines
    • Electric Field Due to a Point Charge
    • Electric Field Due to a Dipole
      • Discussion of Electric Dipole Moment
    • Force on a Point Charge in an ‘External’ Electric Field
    • Self Readings:
      1. Measuring Elementary Charge
      2. Ink-Jet Printing
      3. Electric Breakdown and Sparking
  • Lecture 16: Gauss’ Law (Lecture Notes)
    • Why do we need Gauss’ Law?
    • Electric Flux for Flat and Arbitrary Surfaces
    • Mathematical Formalism of Gauss’ Law
    • Discussion on Gaussian Surface
    • Prove the Duality between Gauss’ and Coulomb’s Law

Assignment 4: A4 (PDF) (Due Date: 24th November 2020) Solution: A4 Sol (PDF Download)

  • Tutorial Session 4: Chapter 22 – Electric Fields
    • Solved Examples: 22.01, 22.02, 22.04
    • Exercise Problems: 3, 5, 7, 39, 42, 44, 46, 47
  • Lecture 17: Applications of Gauss’ Law (Lecture Notes)
    • Symmetries in Physics
    • Compute Electric Fields for Some Known Symmetries
      • Cylindrical Symmetry
      • Planar Symmetry
      • Spherical Symmetry (Conducting and Non-Conducting)

Midterm-II Exam: MidII (PDF) + MidII – Solution (PDF) (24th November 2020)


  • Lecture 18: Revised Course Planning + Midterm Discussion
    • Devise a strategy for online lecture delivery
    • Class Attendance
    • Mode of Assignment Submission; Google Classroom
    • Midterm II Discussion
  • Lecture 19: Capacitance – I (Lecture Notes)
    • Digression on electric potential energy and electric potential
    • Another digression on calculating the potential difference from fields
    • Define a capacitor
    • How a capacitor becomes charged?
    • Discussion on the capacitance of the capacitor
    • Devise a recipe for calculating the capacitance for the special “geometries“.
  • Lecture 20: Capacitance – II (Lecture Notes)
    • Types of capacitors according to their symmetries
    • Computing capacitances of these geometries
    • Capacitors in parallel combinations
    • Capacitors in series combinations
  • Tutorial Session 5: Chapter 25 – Capacitance
  • Lecture 21: Electric Current and Electric Density (Lecture Notes)
    • Video Lecture: Link
    • Introduction to Magnetism
    • Assumptions of Magnetism
    • Electric Current and Conventional Current
    • Current Density (along with its Physical Intuition)
    • Drift Speed
  • Lecture 22: Resistance and Resistivity (Lecture Notes)
    • Video Lecture: Link
    • Ohm’s Law
    • Discussion on Resistance
    • Why we need the concept of Resistivity?
    • Physical Intuition of Resistivity and Conductivity
    • Calculating Resistance from the geometry of the material
    • Variation of Resistivity with Temperature
    • Self Reading: Discussion on Ohm’s Law
  • Lecture 23: Chapter 26 Numerical Problems (Lecture Notes)
  • Lecture 24: Magnetic Fields and Hall Effect (Lecture Notes)
    • Why study magnetic fields?
    • Ways of defining magnetic fields.
    • Magnetic Force Direction of Magnetic Force; Right and Left Hand Rule
    • Magnetic Field Lines
    • Crossed Fields
    • Hall Effect
  • Lecture 25: Force Carrying Wire and Circulating Particle (Lecture Notes)
    • Video Lecture: Link
    • Circulating Charged Particle in External Magnetic Field
    • Magnetic Force on a Current-Carrying Wire
  • Lecture 26: Chapter 28 Numerical Problems (Lecture Notes)
    • Video Lecture by Bilal: Link
  • Lecture 27: Biot-Savart Law and Gauss Law (Lecture Notes)
    • Current carrying objects generate magnetic fields around them
    • Calculate the magnetic field due to Current
    • Force between two parallel currents
    • Physical intuition of Ampere’s law
  • Lecture 28 – Applications of Ampere’s Law (Lecture Notes)
    • Video Lecture: Link
    • Magnetic field (outside and inside) a long current carrying straight wire
    • Magnetic field of a solenoid
    • Magnetic field of a toroid
  • Tutorial Session 6: Chapter 29 – Magnetic Fields Due to Currents

Assignment 5: A5 (PDF) (Due Date: 3rd January 2021) Solution: A5 Sol (PDF Download)

Assignment 6: A6 (PDF) (Due Date: 3rd January 2021) Solution: A6 Sol (PDF Download)


Final Exam: Final – Solution (PDF) (8th February 2021)


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