Princeton PHY 104: General Physics II
PHY 104 is Princeton's calculus-based electromagnetism course — electric fields and potential, Gauss's law, circuits, magnetic fields, induction, and an introduction to electromagnetic waves — following PHY 103 for science and engineering students.
Fennie is independent and not affiliated with Princeton University. This is an unofficial study guide.
Build my PHY 104 study planWhat makes it hard
E&M is more abstract than mechanics: fields and potentials are invisible, and the math (vector calculus, Gauss's and Ampère's laws by symmetry) is heavier. Students who got by on mechanical intuition lose that crutch here, and exams reward recognizing the right symmetry and principle for an unfamiliar configuration rather than recalling formulas.
What you'll cover
- • Electric fields and Coulomb's law
- • Gauss's law and electric potential
- • Capacitance and dielectrics
- • DC circuits
- • Magnetic fields and Ampère's law
- • Electromagnetic induction
The PHY 104 study guide
How to study for Princeton PHY 104, step by step.
- 1
Build intuition for invisible fields
PHY 104's abstraction is the hurdle: fields can't be pictured the way blocks and ramps could. Draw field lines and equipotentials constantly until the geometry feels concrete.
- 2
Master symmetry arguments for Gauss's and Ampère's laws
These laws are powerful only when you choose the right surface or loop from the configuration's symmetry. Practice recognizing the symmetry first, since that choice is the whole problem on many exams.
- 3
Keep the vector calculus comfortable
E&M leans harder on vectors and integrals than mechanics did. Keep that math fluent so it isn't a second source of friction on top of the conceptual difficulty.
- 4
Practice unfamiliar configurations
Exams test reasoning about setups you haven't seen, not formula recall. Work problems from past exams and other sources so you train the recognition the course grades.
- 5
Space the abstraction with Fennie
Upload your PHY 104 syllabus and Fennie's Daily Plan paces problem practice so fields and potentials are solid before circuits and magnetism build on them, with exam-synced review and quizzes from the actual material. Free to start.
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How Fennie helps with PHY 104
Fennie's Daily Plans pace PHY 104 so the abstract field concepts are solid before circuits, magnetism, and induction build on them, with review synced to the exams. Chat works through which symmetry to exploit and which principle applies to an unfamiliar configuration — the recognition skill E&M exams reward over formula recall.
FAQ
Is PHY 104 harder than PHY 103?
Many students find it more abstract. Electromagnetism deals with invisible fields and leans harder on vector calculus, so the mechanical intuition that carried PHY 103 stops helping. Exams reward recognizing the right symmetry and principle for unfamiliar configurations.
How do I study for PHY 104?
Draw field lines and equipotentials until the geometry feels concrete, and practice recognizing symmetry for Gauss's and Ampère's laws, since that choice is often the whole problem. Work unfamiliar configurations from past exams rather than memorizing formulas.
Do I need PHY 103 before PHY 104?
Yes — PHY 103 (or equivalent) is the prerequisite, along with continued calculus. PHY 104 assumes comfort with the problem-solving discipline from mechanics and builds straight into the more abstract, math-heavy electromagnetism material.
Pass PHY 104 with a plan, not a cram
Upload your PHY 104 materials and Fennie generates a Daily Plan paced to your deadline — plus chat, flashcards, and quizzes built from the actual course content.
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