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.
Build my PHYS 122 study planWhat 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.
- 5
Let Fennie juggle the parallel tracks
Upload your PHYS 122 syllabus and Fennie's Daily Plan schedules problem practice between lectures, labs, and tutorials so nothing collides at midterms, with concept-check quizzes generated from your actual course materials. Free to start.
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How Fennie helps with PHYS 122
Fennie's Daily Plans schedule PHYS 122 problem practice between lectures, labs, and tutorials so the quarter's parallel tracks don't collide at midterms. Chat through a Gauss's law setup or a right-hand-rule direction when the field won't resolve, and generate concept-check questions matching the tutorial style.
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 — they preview the conceptual exam questions. Work problems untimed to fix setup habits, then timed as exams approach.
Pass PHYS 122 with a plan, not a cram
Upload your PHYS 122 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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