Course Outline

The classical theory of electromagnetism is completely described by Maxwell's equations and the Lorentz force law. Maxwell's equations specify how charge distributions produce electric and magnetic fields and the Lorentz force law describes the forces that these exert on charges.

Physics 311 focused on methods for determining fields for stationary charge and current distributions. However, many charge and current distributions are not of this type. Yet Maxwell's equations are still valid here. Physics 312 will concentrate on applying Maxwell's equations to such situations. This will include some of the greatest triumphs of 19th century physics: the existence and properties of electromagnetic waves and the production of electromagnetic waves by moving charges. Additionally Physics 312 will present methods for relating electromagnetic fields for different inertial observers and will connect this to special relativity. Various other topics from electromagnetism, that were omitted from Phys 311, will also be covered.

Physics 312 assumes a solid understanding of electromagnetism from Physics 311 as well as fluency with the associated mathematics.

The course will cover the following topics subject to minor modifications.

  1. Electric fields in matter, polarization, dielectrics.
  2. Magnetic fields in matter, magnetization.
  3. Maxwell's equations, boundary conditions, conservation laws.
  4. Electromagnetic waves.
  5. Potential formulation of electromagnetism.
  6. Fields produced by a moving point charge.
  7. Electromagnetic radiation.
  8. Electromagnetism and relativity.

Homework Assignments

Due: 29 January 2021 Homework 1
Due: 2 February 2021 Homework 2
Due: 5 February 2021 Homework 3
Due: 9 February 2021 Homework 4
Due: 12 February 2021 Homework 5
Due: 16 February 2021 Homework 6
Due: 19 February 2021 Homework 7
Due: 25 February 2021 Homework 8
Due: 9 March 2021 Homework 9
Due: 12 March 2021 Homework 10
Due: 16 March 2021 Homework 11
Due: 23 March 2021 Homework 12
Due: 26 March 2021 Homework 13
Due: 30 March 2021 Homework 14
Due: 2 April 2021 Homework 15
Due: 6 April 2021 Homework 16
Due: 13 April 2021 Homework 17
Due: 16 April 2021 Homework 18
Due: 20 April 2021 Homework 19
Due: 23 April 2021 Homework 20
Due: 28 April 2021 Homework 21
Due: 10 May 2021 Homework 22
Due: 14 May 2021 Homework 23

Exams

There will be two hour long exams during class on the following dates: Tuesday 2 March 2021 and Thursday 8 April 2021. There will be a comprehensive final exam on Tuesday 18 May 2021.

Exams and solutions from previous semesters.

Spring 2012 Class exam 1
Spring 2012 Class exam 1: Solutions
Spring 2012 Class exam 2
Spring 2012 Class exam 2: Solutions
Spring 2012 Final exam
Spring 2012 Final exam: Solutions
Spring 2016 Class exam 1
Spring 2016 Class exam 1: Solutions
Spring 2016 Class exam 2
Spring 2016 Class exam 2: Solutions
Spring 2016 Final exam
Spring 2016 Final exam: Solutions

Exams and solutions from this semester.

Solutions will be posted after each exam has been graded.

Spring 2021 Class exam 1
Spring 2021 Class exam 1: Solutions
Spring 2021 Class exam 2
Spring 2021 Class exam 2: Solutions

Supplementary Reading

There are many additional texts which are potentially suitable for this course. The following is a selection.

  1. Electromagnetism

    1. R. P. Feynman, R. B. Leighton and M. Sands, Lectures on Physics, Vol II, Addison-Wesley (1965).

      Pitched somewhere between a sophomore and junior level text, this is still a classic. Feynman was renowned for his unique approaches at explaining physics.

    2. P. Lorrain, D. R. Corson and F. Lorrain, Fundamentals of Electromagnetic Phenomena, Freeman (2000).

      Another standard undergraduate level text.

    3. R. K. Wangsness, Electromagnetic Fields, Wiley (1986).

      Similar to other undergraduate electromagnetism texts but includes a chapter on waveguides.

    4. L. Eyges, The Classical Electromagnetic Field, Dover (1972).

      More of an introductory graduate level text but sections are still accessible to an undergraduate audience. This is generally an excellent text.

    5. A. Zangwill, Modern Electrodynamics, Cambridge University Press(2012).

      Excellent graduate-level text.

    6. J. D. Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics, John Wiley (1998).

      The default graduate level text, probably more as a result of its scope than its explanatory qualities. Encyclopedic but frequently confusing coverage of everything to do with electromagnetism. Tortuous problems.

Links and Animations

  1. Reference Sources
    1. Physlink Reference information and data, including decimal system notation, physical constants, math constants, astro-physical constants, etc,....
    2. Eric Weinstein's World of Physics Encyclopedia of Physics maintained by Wolfram Research. Entries at a variety of technical levels.
    3. Periodic Table of Elements WebElements site.
    4. NIST Databases Administered by the National Institute for Standards and Technology. The final word in physical data. Intended for professionals.
  2. Animations
    1. PhET From the University of Colorado.
    2. LTU Applets Collection of simulations provided by Scott Schneider, Lawrence Technological University.
    3. Animations for Physics and Astronomy Collection of simulations from the Penn State University, Schuylkill.
    4. Physclips Collection of simulations from the University of New South Wales, Australia.
  3. Electrostatics
    1. Electric Field Hockey. PhET simulation from the University of Colorado.
    2. Charges and Fields. PhET simulation from the University of Colorado.
    3. Capacitor Lab. PhET simulation from the University of Colorado.
  4. Magnetic Fields
    1. Magnets and Electromagnets. PhET simulation from the University of Colorado.
    2. Charged Particles in Magnetic Fields. From the Penn State University, Schuylkill.