The third and final PY212 exam covers 32-35 and 37 and 38 of Serway. There will be four questions. The first question will consist of a few short-answer/multiple-choice questions. The other three questions will be multi-part problems. Partial credit will be given. A formula sheet will be provided. Difficult integrals will be provided if necessary; in general, we are not trying to test your knowledge of math.

Suggestions for study:

Review old exam! Where did you lose credit?

  • simple numerical math mistake? keep practicing simple problems and you will hopefully eliminate these mistakes as you catch yourself with common errors.
  • problems with calculus? perhaps the wrong dq or limits of integration? go back to the chapter and find the "Example" that covers the appropriate topic. Carefully write out the solution on your own paper... do you understand each step?
  • wrong approach? read the "Problem-Solving Hints" at the back of each chapter.
  • careless errors? A handful of people misread "exactly one second after switch 3 is closed" and used 3 seconds in the calculation. Read the question carefully and determine what is being asked! 
Practice, practice, practice! Work out problems to which you have the answer- boxed problems in the back of each chapter have solutions in the study guide. Try to solve the problem with only the formula sheet in front of you. Check the detailed answers to boxed problems with the Study Guide (on reserve in the library, and there is a copy in the Physics Resource Room).

Reread the chapter text, you can skip the examples at this point, just read all the words and understand the concepts and practical applications. As you go along, answer the "Quick Quizzes". Try to answer some of the "Questions" at the back of the chapter. The idea here is to reinforce the concepts of the physical principles. The exam will not simply be a test to see if you can plug numbers into formulas and properly multiply and divide... we will be testing to see if you understand the way the world works- at least as far as electrostatics goes.

Nonetheless, it is important to understand the formula sheet. Look at each formula- do you know what all the variables are? What is r? Maybe it is simply radius... but maybe it is the distance between some point and an element of current. Not every formula applies in every situation. Which formula for potential is used only in the case of a uniform electric field? Finally, sometimes you need to rederive a simple relation because we only give you one; for example... practice converting from qvB = mv2/r  to r = mv/qB (not given). Are there any others like this?

Now, take the practice exam. Set aside 1.5 hours and quiet test conditions. Again, grade yourself and diagnose as above where your problems occured. Did you follow the Test Taking Tips? If you got a good grade- congratulations, treat yourself to an ice cream. If not, you should seek extra help. Keep in mind that there is an abundance of different material in these chapters, and this year's test will not simply be a minor variation on the practice exam. Concentrate on the material that was emphasized in lecture and homeworks.