Physics 436
General Information
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What:
Here is the catalog description:
Prerequisite: Physics 435.
Time-dependent fields. Electromagnetic induction, Maxwell's equations, electromagnetic wave propagation in various media and structures, and electromagnetic radiation from charge and current distributions. Relativistic covariance of Maxwell's equations.
It's the second semester of the E&M sequence. We assume you've completed the first.
Purpose:
Two major goals:
- To learn about time dependent electromagnetic fields, especially resonance and radiation.
- To learn the relativistic formulation of electrodynamics.
When and where:
| Lecture: |
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MWF |
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9:00 - 9:50 am |
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144 Loomis |
| Discussion: |
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Tuesday |
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4:00 - 4:50 pm |
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158 Loomis |
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or: |
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5:00 - 5:50 pm |
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" |
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or: |
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6:00 - 6:50 pm |
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" |
Books:
Required:
- Introduction to Electrodynamics (3rd or 4th Ed.), Griffiths (1998).
Other books: (on reserve in the Grainger library)
- Classical Electrodynamics (3rd Ed.), Jackson
The standard graduate level text.
- Classical Electricity and Magnetism, Panofsky and Phillips
Somewhat advanced, but more accessible than Jackson.
- Electricity and Magnetism, Nayfeh
Has been the text in past, some years back.
- Electricity and Magnetism, Purcell
The Berkeley "honors" text. Has good insights.
- Other books (List the author's names only):
Pollack, Reitz, Marion, Lorrain/Corson, Schwartz.
Format and grades:
- Lecture (no grade)
Lectures serve primarily to guide your studies. We will do some examples and discuss concepts.
I'd like it to be interactive - we'll see how it goes.
- Discussion: (10% of your grade)
You'll work in small groups (as in the 21x discussion) on problems that
illustrate conceptual issues and advanced techniques.
- Homework:
(35%)
Weekly homework assignments will be due (in the homework box) on Monday at 5 PM.
Homework will not be accepted after that without an excuse.
- Midterm exams: (30%)
Two in-class exams (15% each). Exams are open notes (not open book).
- Final exam: (25%)
Date TBD. Exams are open notes (not open book).
Note that homework contributes a large fraction of your grade. One learns by doing.
Lectures serve primarily to guide your studies. We will do some examples and discuss concepts.
Excused absences:
Excused absence requests must be submitted within two weeks of the absence.
Course Staff:
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