Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Science (Volume 4 page 229)
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Credit points: 15.5
Coordinator: A/Prof J W G Wignall
Prerequisite: Physics 640-225 or 640-245; Mathematics 618-231 and 232
Contact: 36 lectures (three a week) and 13 x 1-hour tutorials
Timetable: Second semester
Objectives:
By the completion of this course the student should:
- have a thorough comprehension of classical electrodynamics based on Maxwell's equations, including its formulation in covariant form;
- be able to apply this understanding to the solution of problems involving the calculation of fields (boundary value problems), the motion of charged particles, and the production and behaviour of electromagnetic waves;
- appreciate the role of electrodynamics as the prototype of a number of more general physical theories.
Content:
Electrodynamics in vacuo: in terms of both fields and potentials; relativistic covariance. Electrodynamics in material media: dielectric, magnetic, conducting. Calculation of fields, boundary value problems: motion of particles in electromagnetic fields; magneto-hydrodynamics; production, propagation, and interaction of electromagnetic waves; radiation from accelerated charges. Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulation of particle motion in a field and of the field itself; quantum aspects of electrodynamics.
Assessment:
A 3-hour end-of-semester written examination
Prescribed texts:
Physics subject : Next:640-341 | Prev:640-322 | Search | Help
Handbook 1996 : Faculty of Science (Volume 4 page 229)
Status: Official 1996 Date created: Oct 9 1995 Last modified: Oct 9 1995 Authorised by: Academic Registrar Email enquiries: Course_Information@registrar.unimelb.edu.au
Maintained by: School of Physics, Faculty of Science.
Copyright © University of Melbourne 1995,1996.