Course Name
AIMS: Problem Solving
Course Number
aims23
Year/Term
Fall-2025
Course Credits
0
Class meeting times
30 hours total
Prerequisites
TBA
Course description
Physicists and other physical scientists and engineers routinely use algebra and calculus, including vector calculus, in problem-solving. But the hard part of physics problem solving is often at the beginning and end of the problem, namely getting to an algebraic expression from a description of a physical situation in words or other representations, and interpreting an algebraic expression as a statement about what will happen in the real world. This course will use examples from electromagnetism involving scalar and vector fields in the three-dimensional world to explore a variety of problem-solving methods, including using information from experimental data, approximations, idealizations, and visualizations. The emphasis will be on how geometry can help.
Topic/Day
Activities
Resources
Homework Due
W1 D1
Introduction to the Course
What is Charge?
Densities
Read AFTER class:
GSF: Densities
More about Density
Representations of Scalar Fields
Read AFTER class:
GSF: Scalar Fields
W1 D2
Student Introductions
Using Gradescope
The Functions \(1/r\) and \(1/r^2\)
The Superposition Principle
W1 D3
Power Series Introduction
Power Series Notation
Student Introductions
Derivation of Power Series Coefficients
Calculating Coefficients of Power Series
Visualizing the Relationship between Power Series and their Graphs
Guessing Power Series
More Power Series Information
W1 D4
Definition of the Position Vector
Dot Product
Read AFTER class:
GSF: The Dot Product
GEM 1.1.1
The Distance Formula
Read AFTER class:
GSF: The Distance Formula
GEM 1.1.2
Position Vector in Multiple Coordinate Systems
W1 D5
Student Introductions
Compare Series and Visualization
Addition Formulas
Read AFTER Class:
GMM: Addition Formulas
Law of Cosines
W2 D1
Vector Fields in Curvilinear Coordinates
Introduction to the Lorentz Force Law
Read AFTER Class:
GSF: The Lorentz Force Law
The Magnetic Field Due to a Current Carrying Wire
W2 D2
Geometric Introduction to Differentials
Read AFTER Class:
GSF: Differentials
(You may want to browse the rest of that chapter.)
Circulation
W2 D2.5 (2 pm)
W2 D3
Limiting Cases for Potential Due to a Ring
W2 D3 [Mid-Block Test]
W2 D4
Scalar Line, Surface, Volume Elements
GEM 1.3.1
Proportional Reasoning
W2 D5
Review of Derivatives
Use What You Know
The Helix
W2D5.5 (2 pm)
W3D1
(no class meeting today)
W3 D2
Flux Definition
Flux Calculation
Flux through a Cylinder
W3 D3
Properties of Gradient
Directional Derivatives
Electric Field Due to a Point Charge
W3 D4 [Final Test]
Final Test
W3 D4
Visualizing Flux
Visualizing Flux through a Cube
Divergence Theorem
W3 D5
Stokes' Theorem
Differential Form of Ampère's Law
Geometric Reasoning
Relationship of Fields
V, $\vec{E}$, U, $\vec{F}$
GEM 2.3.1-2.3.2