640-323 Electrodynamics (Advanced)

Credit Points

Coordinator

Prerequisites

Physics 640-225 or 640-245; Mathematics 620-231 and 620-232. (A small section of the subject will assume knowledge of special relativity to the level of Physics 640-241 or Physics 640-221)

(For subjects completed prior to 1998, the Mathematics and Statistics departmental code 620- should be replaced by the superseded Mathematics departmental code 618-)

Semester

Contact

Subject Description

By the completion of this subject 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.

The subject provides an introduction to: 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 2.5-hour end-of-semester written examination plus tests and/or assignments, set during the semester, which may account for up to 20% of the final mark.

Prescribed Texts

• Jackson J D, Classical Electrodynamics. 2nd ed. Wiley.
  or
  Vanderlinde J, Classical Electromagnetic Theory. Wiley.