Admission Requirements
First 3 semesters of the Bachelor Programme plus Classical Electrodynamics
Description
A course on relativistic electrodynamics, that will take you into the exciting interplay between Maxwell's theory of electromagnetism and special relativty, making you appreciate the roles of Lorentz symmetry and gauge invariance. Starting from the principle of relativity, and the consequent theory of special relativity, we discuss the relativistic description of electromagnetism and related transformations, eventually reformulating electrodynamics in its tensorial formulation.
Topics:
– Special Theory of Relativity – Lorentz Transformations and spacetime formulation – Relativistic Mechanics – Transformation of the electromagnetic field – Tensorial formulation of electrodynamics – Relativistic Potentials and gauge freedom
Course objectives
After completion of this course, you are able to: – Solve special relativity problems that include time dilation, length contraction and the relativity of simultaneity – Lorentz transforming between inertial reference frames – Solve problems of relativistic mechanics – Handle covariant formulation of Maxwell's equations – Fix gauges – Lorentz transform the electromagnetic field tensor, current density 4-vector and potential 4-vector – Solve for the relativistic motion of charges in electromagnetic fields – Solve for the electromagnetic field and potentials generated by a charge in motion
Timetable
Schedule
For detailed information go to Timetable in Brightspace
You will find the timetables for all courses and degree programmes of Leiden University in the tool MyTimetable (login). Any teaching activities that you have sucessfully registered for in MyStudyMap will automatically be displayed in MyTimeTable. Any timetables that you add manually, will be saved and automatically displayed the next time you sign in.
MyTimetable allows you to integrate your timetable with your calendar apps such as Outlook, Google Calendar, Apple Calendar and other calendar apps on your smartphone. Any timetable changes will be automatically synced with your calendar. If you wish, you can also receive an email notification of the change. You can turn notifications on in ‘Settings’ (after login).
For more information, watch the video or go the the 'help-page' in MyTimetable. Please note: Joint Degree students Leiden/Delft have to merge their two different timetables into one. This video explains how to do this.
Mode of instruction
See Brightspace
Assessment method
Written final exam.
Reading list
Introduction to Electrodynamics D.J.Griffiths, Prentice Hall, third edition, 1999; ISBN 0-13-481367-7
Different editions permitted. Additional reading material provided during the course.
Registration
As a student, you are responsible for registering on time, i.e. 14 days before the start of the course. This can be done via Mystudymap. You do this twice a year: once for the courses you want to take in semester 1 and once for the courses you want to take in semester 2. Please note: late registration is not possible.
Registration for courses in the first semester is possible from July; registration for courses in the second semester is possible from December. For more information, see this page
In addition, it is mandatory for all students to register for exams. This can be done up to and including 10 calendar days prior to the exam or up to five calendar days in case of a retake exam. You cannot participate in the exam or retake without a valid registration in My Studymap.
Contact
Lecturer: Dr. C. Papathanassiou
Remarks
none