UW PHYS 122: Electromagnetism
PHYS 122 is the second course in UW's calculus-based introductory physics sequence, covering electric fields and forces, electric potential, circuits, magnetism, and electromagnetic induction, with lab and tutorial sections. It follows PHYS 121 and is required for engineering, physics, and many science majors.
Fennie is independent and not affiliated with University of Washington. This is an unofficial study guide.
What makes it hard
Electromagnetism is more abstract than mechanics. You can't see a field the way you can see a block on an incline, so building intuition for fields, flux, and potential is the core struggle. Gauss's law and the right-hand-rule reasoning for magnetism trip up nearly everyone, and as with PHYS 121, exams demand setting up problems from scratch rather than recognizing templates.
What you'll cover
- • Electric fields and forces
- • Gauss's law and flux
- • Electric potential and capacitance
- • Circuits and resistance
- • Magnetic fields and forces
- • Electromagnetic induction
The PHYS 122 study guide
How to study for UW PHYS 122, step by step.
- 1
Invest in field intuition first
PHYS 122's central difficulty is that fields are invisible. Spend real time visualizing electric and magnetic field lines, flux through surfaces, and direction conventions. The abstraction is the wall, not the algebra.
- 2
Draw the diagram before every problem
Field directions, charge configurations, current paths: sketch them first, every time. Like PHYS 121, exams grade the setup, and the habit must be automatic before exam pressure hits.
- 3
Drill Gauss's law and the right-hand rule
These two are the reliable PHYS 122 stumbling blocks. Work enough symmetry-based Gauss's law problems and right-hand-rule magnetism problems that the reasoning becomes reflexive.
- 4
Take tutorials seriously
UW's tutorials are built to expose electromagnetism misconceptions that lectures alone leave intact. The questions that confuse you in tutorial preview the conceptual exam questions.
Today
Today's PHYS 122 plan
What a Fennie Daily Plan looks like for PHYS 122. Yours is built from your own syllabus and adapts every day to your deadlines and progress.
First plan free, no card required. Fennie is independent and unaffiliated with your school.
FAQ
Is PHYS 122 harder than PHYS 121?
Many students find it harder because electromagnetism is more abstract than mechanics. Fields and flux are tougher to visualize than forces and motion. The exam style is just as setup-from-scratch demanding.
What's the hardest topic in PHYS 122?
Gauss's law and magnetism's right-hand-rule reasoning are the usual stumbling blocks. Both reward heavy practice until the spatial reasoning becomes automatic.
How do I study for PHYS 122 exams?
Build field intuition early, start every problem with a diagram, and take the tutorials seriously, since they preview the conceptual exam questions. Work problems untimed to fix setup habits, then timed as exams approach.