640-323 Electrodynamics (Adv)

Physics 640-225 or 640-245; mathematics 620-231 or 620-233; and mathematics 620-232 or 620-234.

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; and

• 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; and Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formulation of particle motion in a field and of the field itself; quantum aspects of electrodynamics.

A 3-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.

• J D Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics. 3rd ed., Wiley.