【People's Education Press】High School Physics Compulsory Course Volume 3

📚 Content Summary

This is the third volume of the compulsory physics series for high school students, primarily covering foundational topics in electromagnetism, including electrostatic fields, energy in electric fields, circuit theory, the law of conservation of electrical energy, and an introduction to electromagnetic induction and electromagnetic waves. Through experiments, inquiry-based discussions, and example analyses, this course aims to develop students’ core physical literacy and scientific inquiry skills.

Explore the physical mysteries from microscopic charges to macroscopic electromagnetic waves, and establish a comprehensive foundation in classical electromagnetism.

Author: People's Education Press Curriculum and Textbook Research Institute Physics Curriculum and Textbook Research and Development Center

Acknowledgments: Approved by the National Textbook Committee Expert Review Board (2019)

🎯 Learning Objectives

1. Understand the law of conservation of charge, master the concept of elementary charge, and be able to explain physical phenomena such as charging by friction and charging by induction.
2. Master the definition of electric field strength (via ratio definition) and the principle of superposition, and be able to use electric field lines to describe the distribution patterns of electric fields.
3. Understand the properties of conductors under electrostatic equilibrium, grasp the principles of electrostatic shielding and corona discharge, and apply them in practical life and production scenarios.
4. Understand that work done by electrostatic forces is independent of path, and master the relationship between electric potential energy and work done by electrostatic forces.
5. Master the definitions of electric potential and potential difference, their vector/scalar nature, and apply U = Ed to solve problems involving uniform electric fields.
6. Understand the concept of capacitance, know the factors determining parallel-plate capacitors, and be able to analyze the acceleration motion of charged particles in electric fields.
7. Understand the role of power sources, and the definitions of current and steady current, and be able to explain the formation of current from a microscopic perspective.
8. Master the resistance law of conductors, understand how resistivity changes with temperature, and gain familiarity with superconductivity.
9. Be able to identify volt-ampere characteristic curves and distinguish between linear and nonlinear components.
10. Understand electric work, electric power, and Joule’s law, and be able to differentiate energy conversion in purely resistive versus non-resistive circuits.

🔹 Lesson 1: Chapter 9: Electrostatic Fields and Their Applications

Overview: This chapter begins with the microscopic nature of static electricity, systematically introducing concepts of charge, the law of conservation of charge, and elementary charge. By introducing the concept of “field,” it explores electric field strength as a physical quantity describing electric field properties, and examines qualitative and quantitative analysis of electric fields using electric field lines, uniform electric fields, and the principle of superposition. Finally, the chapter delves into conductor behavior in electric fields—including electrostatic equilibrium, corona discharge, and electrostatic shielding—and discusses prevention and applications of static electricity.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the law of conservation of charge, master the concept of elementary charge, and be able to explain physical phenomena such as charging by friction and charging by induction.
• Master the definition of electric field strength (ratio definition method) and the principle of superposition, and be able to use electric field lines to describe the distribution of electric fields.
• Understand the characteristics of conductors under electrostatic equilibrium, grasp the principles of electrostatic shielding and corona discharge, and apply them in practical life and production contexts.

🔹 Lesson 2: Chapter 10: Energy in Electrostatic Fields

Overview: This chapter focuses on the energy properties of electrostatic fields, starting from the path-independent nature of work done by electrostatic forces, introducing core physical quantities such as electric potential energy, electric potential, and potential difference. By exploring the quantitative relationship between potential difference and electric field strength, it reveals the energetic nature of electric fields, extends to the energy storage mechanism of capacitors, and examines the acceleration of charged particles in electric fields. It concludes by returning to real-life applications, explaining the physical basis of technologies like static adhesion, dust removal, spray painting, and photocopying.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand that work done by electrostatic forces is independent of path, and master the relationship between electric potential energy and work done by electrostatic forces.
• Master the definitions of electric potential and potential difference, their scalar/vector nature, and be able to apply U = Ed to solve problems in uniform electric fields.
• Understand the concept of capacitance, know the determining factors of parallel-plate capacitors, and be able to analyze the acceleration motion of charged particles in electric fields.

🔹 Lesson 3: Chapter 11: Circuits and Their Applications

Overview: This course covers fundamental theories and practical applications of circuits—from the microscopic mechanism of current formation to macroscopic tools for circuit measurement. Key topics include how power sources maintain steady current, the resistive properties of conductors (including resistivity and superconductivity), the energy characteristics of lithium batteries, and the proficient use of multimeters for measuring electrical quantities.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the role of power sources, and the definitions of current and steady current, and be able to explain the formation of current from a microscopic viewpoint.
• Master the resistance law of conductors, understand how resistivity varies with temperature, and gain awareness of superconductivity.
• Be able to identify volt-ampere characteristic curves and distinguish between linear and nonlinear components.

🔹 Lesson 4: Chapter 12: Electrical Energy and Conservation of Energy

Overview: This chapter focuses on the transformation, transmission, and macroscopic laws of conservation of energy in electrical systems. Starting from the microscopic energy conversion within circuits (electrical work and heat), it introduces the key physical quantity describing power source characteristics—electromotive force (EMF)—and establishes the closed-circuit Ohm’s Law. Through experimental measurements of EMF and internal resistance in dry cells and fruit batteries, students will learn data processing methods in physics experiments (such as the U-I graph method). The course then extends to macroscopic energy conservation laws and sustainable development of energy resources, discussing the directionality of energy conversion and its societal significance.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand electric work, electric power, and Joule’s law, and be able to differentiate energy conversion in purely resistive versus non-resistive circuits.
• Understand the concept of electromotive force (EMF), master the closed-circuit Ohm’s Law, and be able to solve complex calculation problems.
• Master the experimental principles and methods for measuring the EMF and internal resistance of power sources, and be able to process experimental data using U-I graphs.

🔹 Lesson 5: Chapter 13: Electromagnetic Induction and Preliminary Concepts of Microscopic Energy

Overview: This unit guides students from macroscopic magnetic phenomena to complex electromagnetic induction, ultimately delving into electromagnetic waves and the quantization of energy at the microscopic level. The course covers the description of magnetic fields (magnetic field lines, magnetic flux density, magnetic flux), conditions for generating electromagnetic induction, foundational aspects of Maxwell’s electromagnetic field theory, and Planck’s concept of energy quanta.

Learning Outcomes:

• Master the concepts of magnetic field, magnetic flux density, and magnetic flux, and be able to use Ampère’s rule to determine the relationship between current direction and magnetic field direction.
• Understand the essence of electromagnetic induction phenomena, and accurately determine the conditions for generating induced current.
• Understand the formation and propagation characteristics of electromagnetic waves, recognize the distribution of the electromagnetic spectrum, and appreciate the revolutionary significance of energy quantization in modern physics.