Prospectus

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Relativistic Electrodynamics

Course
2024-2025

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

In MyTimetable, you can find all course and programme schedules, allowing you to create your personal timetable. Activities for which you have enrolled via MyStudyMap will automatically appear in your timetable.

Additionally, you can easily link MyTimetable to a calendar app on your phone, and schedule changes will be automatically updated in your calendar. You can also choose to receive email notifications about schedule changes. You can enable notifications in Settings after logging in.

Questions? Watch the video, read the instructions, or contact the ISSC helpdesk.

Note: Joint Degree students from Leiden/Delft need to combine information from both the Leiden and Delft MyTimetables to see a complete schedule. This video explains how to do it.

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 enrolling on time through MyStudyMap.

In this short video, you can see step-by-step how to enrol for courses in MyStudyMap.
Extensive information about the operation of MyStudyMap can be found here.

There are two enrolment periods per year:

  • Enrolment for the fall opens in July

  • Enrolment for the spring opens in December

See this page for more information about deadlines and enrolling for courses and exams.

Note:

  • It is mandatory to enrol for all activities of a course that you are going to follow.

  • Your enrolment is only complete when you submit your course planning in the ‘Ready for enrolment’ tab by clicking ‘Send’.

  • Not being enrolled for an exam/resit means that you are not allowed to participate in the exam/resit.

Contact

Lecturer: Dr. C. Papathanassiou

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.