Admission requirements
Prior knowledge of Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMV), Analyse 2 (NA) en Analyse 3 NA.
Description
The first-year course EMV led up to Maxwell's equations, and this is where CED starts. The course explores the solutions and consequences of Maxwell's equations. Before doing so, we first discuss how Maxwell's equations are modified in the presence of a polarizable medium. Next, electromagnetic wave propagation in vacuum, in polarizable media, and at the interface of the two are discussed. The classical laws of diffraction and refraction are found to follow naturally from the equations.
Electromagnetic waves are seen to carry energy and momentum, and we will formulate laws of conservation of energy and momentum.
In order to connect the waves to the sources of the waves (time-dependent charge and current distributions), Maxwell's equations are reformulated in terms of the potential and vector potential for the fields. The time delay involved in the effects of motion of the charges and currents before arriving at the point of observation is included by replacing time by retarded time in the potentials. Putting this together permits us to derive general expressions for the potentials of moving charges (the Liénard-Wiechert potentials), and from these we obtain general forms for the electric and magnetic fields.
Finally we use these expression to explore the important phenomenon of radiation emitted by accelerating charges (dipole radiation and synchrotron radiation).
Course objectives
After completion of this course you will be able to:
Apply the theory of electromagnetism through Maxwell’s equations, using the tools of vector calculus.
Explain the unifying connections between seemingly different phenomena in nature such as electromagnetic induction and optics.
Describe the basic properties of wave propagation, diffraction and interference.
Explain how electromagnetic fields are generated by accelerating charges.
Describe the mechanical properties of electromagnetic fields (energy and momentum flux density). You will also have enhanced your general problem-solving and mathematical skills.
Schedule
The timetables are available through My Timetable (see the button in the upper right corner).
Teaching method
The course will be delivered in English by black-board instruction, combined with power-point illustrations. Weekly assignments are offered, in which you are required to apply your mathematical skills and physics understanding to a variety of situations and systems.
For more information see Brightspace
Assesment method
Written Examination with questions testing the understanding of the study material and the problem solving skills in this field of physics.
Resit, review & feedback
Examinations are held twice during the academic year for each component offered in that academic year. Midterm tests cannot be retaken. The Board of Examiners determines the manner of resit for practical
assignments.
For review and feedback, see Brightspace.
Reading list
The course is based on the book by D.J. Griffiths Introduction to Electrodynamics (Cabridge university press, fourth edition, ISBN 1108420419), and covers chapters 4, 6, 8 – 11.
Recommended further reading: John David Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics (Wiley, 1998), ISBN 9780471309321
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap (button in upper right corner) is mandatory. General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer(s) (listed in the right information bar).
Remarks
Software
Starting from the 2024/2025 academic year, the Faculty of Science will use the software distribution platform Academic Software. Through this platform, you can access the software needed for specific courses in your studies. For some software, your laptop must meet certain system requirements, which will be specified with the software. It is important to install the software before the start of the course. More information about the laptop requirements can be found on the student website.