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. It follows PHY 103 for science and engineering students.
Fennie is independent and not affiliated with Princeton University. This is an unofficial study guide.
What 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.
Today
Today's PHY 104 plan
What a Fennie Daily Plan looks like for PHY 104. 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 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.