Fulvio Melia - 515A

Teaching Spring 2009: Electromagnetic Theory
(Physics 515A)



INSTRUCTOR: Professor Fulvio Melia

OFFICE HOURS: MWF, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm in PAS 447 and most other times (but call 621-9651 or e-mail first to make sure I'm in)

LECTURES: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 10:00 am - 10:50 am in PAS 224

HOMEWORK SOLUTIONS:
Homework # 1: Solutions
Homework # 2: Solutions
Homework # 3: Solutions
Homework # 4: Solutions
Homework # 5: Solutions
Extra Problems (A,B,C)

USEFUL RESOURCE: The Academic Support Office, in the Physics Department at the University of Arizona.



TEXTBOOKS:

Jackson, J. D., Classical Electrodynamics
Melia, F., Electrodynamics

TOPICS COVERED DURING THE SEMESTER:
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The Physical Basis of Maxwell's Equations
1.2 Maxwell's Equations in Matter
1.3 Subdivision of Electrodynamics---The Mathematical Structure
1.3.1 Electrostatic Phenomena
1.3.2 Magnetostatic Phenomena
1.3.3 Wave Phenomena
1.3.4 The General Case
1.3.5 The Mathematical Apparatus
2. TIME-INDEPENDENT ELECTRIC AND MAGNETIC FIELDS
2.1 Electrostatics
2.1.1 Method 1: Guesses and Symmetries
2.1.2 Method 2: Green's Function
2.1.3 Method 3: Expansions with Orthonormal Functions
2.2 Magnetostatics
2.2.1 Method 1: The Magnetic Scalar Potential
2.2.2 Method 2: The Magnetic Vector Potential
2.2.3 Method 3: Hard Ferromagnets
3. GENERAL PROPERTIES OF MAXWELL'S EQUATIONS
3.1 Time-Varying Fields
3.2 Time-dependent Green's Function
3.3 Conservation Laws
3.3.1 Field Energy Density and Poynting's Theorem
3.3.2 Conservation of Linear Momentum
3.3.3 The Maxwell Stress Tensor
3.3.4 Conservation of Angular Momentum
4. ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVES AND RADIATION
4.1 Electromagnetic Waves
4.2 Polarization and Stokes's Parameters
4.3 Reflection and Refraction
4.4 Time Harmonic Fields in Matter
4.5 Wave Guides
4.6 Radiation
4.6.1 Point Currents and Lienard-Wiechert Potentials
4.6.2 The Radiation Fields
4.6.3 Simple Radiating Systems


PROBLEM SCHEDULE
Sections I & II: Electrostatic Problems (due February 23)
Jackson: 2.2, 2.7, 2.13, 3.2, 3.3, Problem A
Section II (cont.): Magnetostatic Problems (due March 9)
Jackson: 5.1, 5.19
Section III: General Properties of Maxwell's Equations (due April 1)
Problem B, Problem C, Jackson: 6.11, 6.16, 6.20 parts (a) and (b) (But give c a try anyway!).
Section IV (a): Plane Waves (due April 20)
Jackson: 7.3, 7.5, 7.16, 7.20, 7.27
Section IV (b): Radiation (due May 6)
Problem set with 4 problems



METHOD OF EVALUATION
  1. Problems (20%)
  2. First written, hour-long exam on Friday, March 6 (20%)
  3. Second written, hour-long exam on Monday, April 13 (20%)
  4. Written Final, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm Wednesday, May 13 (40%)