Admission Requirements
Electric and Magnetic Fields
Description
The course covers Maxwell’s theory of electromagnetic field, wave theory of light, and propagation of electromagnetic waves in media.
The course exploits vector calculus, theory of linear differential equations and elements of asymptotic analysis to derive a number of foundational results in the theory of electromagnetism.
The course is divided into four major components
- Maxwell's equations: derivation, solution strategies, conservation laws.
- Electromagnetic waves.
- Theory of radiation.
- Electromagnetic fields in material media.
The course will be delivered in traditional style, combining power-point enhanced lectures with weekly home assignments in which you are required to apply your mathematical skills and physics understanding to a variety of situations and systems.
The detailed list of topics includes
Maxwell's four equations in the integral and differential form
Continuity equation and local conservation laws
Energy conservation law and Poynting's theorem
Maxwell's stress tensor
Properties of Maxwell's homogeneous equations.
Solving Maxwell's homogeneous equations. The Fourier method.
Electromagnetic waves in vacuum.
Properties of Maxwell's equations with sources.
The vector and scalar potentials.
Gauge symmetry.
The retarded potentials.
The Lienard-Wiechert formula.
The dipole radiation.
Maxwell's equations in good conductors.
The skin effect.
Theory of reflection.
Waveguides.
Electric field in dielectric media. Dielectric polarisation. Bound charge.
Electric susceptibility, dielectric constant, electric displacement.
Magnetic field in magnetically polarisable media. Magnetisation. Bound current.
Magnetic susceptibility, types of magnetic response. Permeability.
Material interfaces and boundary conditions.
Electromagnetic waves in material media.
Refraction of electromagnetic waves.
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.
You will also have enhanced your general problem-solving and mathematical skills.
Timetable
Mode of instruction
Seminar and Lecturers
Assessment method
Written Examination with short questions
Blackboard
Blackboard will be used for the provision of lecture notes, distribution of home assignment worksheets, and announcements.
To have access to Blackboard you need a ULCN-account.Blackboard UL
Reading list
D.J. Griffiths , Introduction to Electrodynamics
John David Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics
Contact
Contactgegevens Docent:Dr.Vadim Cheianov