Let us try having a problem solving session
tomorrow Feb 8.
Then I do not have to talk so much.
Elektromagnetisk fältteori och
vågutbredning
The course is for 34 hours. Approximately 26 hours
are lectures and the remaining time will be spent on problem
solving. The lectures and problem solving sessions are given
by Bo E. Sernelius.
An extra mini-course in complex
analysis for those who want to refresh their knowledge in
the matter, is available in the form of self-studies.
The lectures will be presented in
traditional style but questions and discussions are highly
appreciated. During the problem solving sessions, you are
encouraged to work in small groups where you can discuss
different solution methods etc. You will also be given four
homework problems (see examination below). These problems
are intended to stimulate you to work hard on problem
solving during the course. It is by solving problems you
really learn the material.
The main goal of the course is to make
you familiar with Maxwell's equations and how they are
applied to problems of technological interest (antennas,
wave guides, diffraction etc.). Maxwell's theory is very
beautiful and appealing, not least because of its close
relation to today's technology, more than hundred years
after it was founded. Furthermore, Maxwell's equations are
special in that they look the same in classical mechanics,
non-relativistic quantum mechanics, relativistic mechanics
and in relativistic quantum mechanics.
A new topic will be touched upon from
2008 and onwards: Electromagnetic normal modes and
dispersion forces. The normal modes, solutions to Maxwell's
equations in absence of external sources, give rise to many
phenomena like surface tension and forces between objects.
An extra chapter in the lecture notes is devoted to this new
topic.
Before the reduction in hours Each chapter of the
lecture note covered one lecture. Now, some of the
chapters are lefts for self study, some are only summarized
at the lecture and some come in a different order; one
chapter is new. See the plan for the lectures and problem
solving sessions further down the page.
I will follow the book Classical
Electromagnetic Radiation, 3rd edition by Heald & Marion
(Saunders College Publ., 1995). This book is available at
Bokakademin and at Akademibokhandeln.
Note: The textbook seems to be out of print this spring. It
is scheduled to be available again in paper back in the fall
of 2012. Because of this I have let Bokakademin print my
lecture notes. These are allowed to bring to the exam this
year.
A complement for those who like to study the subject in more
detail is Electrodynamics, 3rd edition by J. D. Jackson (Wiley
& Sons), ISBN: 047130932X. This book can be bought from
Heffers Booksellers (http://www.heffers.co.uk/) at a very
good price. But please note that only the main text book will
be allowed to bring to the examination (and the version of my lecture notes sold by
Bokakademin).
Collection of problems in electrodynamics by Bo E. Sernelius
(Bokakademin).
Some additional material will be be published on this
web page during the course.
I keep the exams and solutions for the last three years
available on this web-page.
Content
The content of the course is defined by the
book Classical Electromagnetic Radiation, 3rd edition,
chapters 1-14. Texts concerning a few additional topics not
covered in this book will be distributed during the lectures.
The course starts with a short overview of static fields and
Maxwell's equations. In relation to electrostatics we will
discuss a number of methods to solve the Laplace's equation,
e.g., variable separation, image charges, multipole expansion,
conformal mapping.
Turning to electrodynamics, you will notice
that this subject can be divided into different parts;
generation of waves; wave propagation; how the electromagnetic
fields are affected by matter; and how matter is affected by
electromagnetic waves. The first part contains charged
particles in motion and antenna theory; the second how the
fields propagate in vacuum, in different type of materials or
in wave guides; the third contains phenomena like refraction,
reflection, interference and diffraction, etc.; the forth
surface energy, surface tension, dispersion forces etc.
Examination
The examination contains 4 problems and
each correctly solved problem gives 4 points. In addition,
four homework problems will be handed out during the course.
Each correctly solved homework problem gives 1 point. For
deadlines to hand in the solutions to the homework problems,
see above.
Allowed to bring to the examination :
The text book Classical Electromagnetic
Radiation, 3rd edition by Heald & Marion
The Lecture notes: Classical Electrodynamics by Bo E.
Sernelius
Physics handbook English Dictionary Electronic Calculator
The preliminary requirements for grade 3 to
5 are the following: 8-11 points (homework+written exam) grade
3
12-15 points grade
4
16-20 points grade
5
The course gives 6 hp.
All the best,
Bo E. Sernelius, examiner Room: G312 Phone: (+46) (0)13 28724 Fax: (+46) (0)13 137568 Email: bos@ifm.liu.se
Preliminary plan for the lectures in
Classical Electrodynamics, 2012:
Le. 1
Introduction, unit system, and
Fundamentals of static electromagnetism (Book
chapter 1) (LN1).
