Teaching Fall 2020: Electromagnetic Theory

(Physics 515B)

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Theory of classical electromagnetic phenomena, including time-dependent and static solutions of Maxwell's equations, radiation theory and relativistic electrodynamics. A key goal of this course is to reach a full relativistic Lagrangian formalism, and to use this with Noether's theorem to establish essential symmetries and conservation principles. INSTRUCTOR: Professor Fulvio Melia OFFICE HOURS (via ZOOM): MW 10:00-11:00 in PAS 447 and most other times (but call 977-8269 or e-mail fmelia@email.arizona.edu first to make sure I'm in) LECTURES: Mondays, Wednesdays, 3:30 pm - 4:45 pm online with ZOOM. Please go to the bottom of this page for COVID-19 related policies HOMEWORK SOLUTIONS: Homework # 1: Solutions Homework # 2: Solutions Homework # 3: Solutions Homework # 4: Solutions Homework # 5: Solutions TEXTBOOKS: Melia, F., Electrodynamics Jackson, J. D., Classical Electrodynamics LEARNING OUTCOMES: 1. Students will demonstrate a familiarity with special relativity. 2. Students will be able to derive and solve the Euler-Lagrange equations for the electromagnetic field. 3. Students will be able to apply multipole expansions to solve for the angular and temporal distributions of radiation fields. 4. Students will be able to set up and solve equations describing the radiation produced by simple source geometries. 5. Students will understand the limitations of classical field theory due to acausal behavior produced by radiation damping. UNIVERSITY POLICIES RELATED TO THIS SYLLABUS: Follow this link: https://academicaffairs.arizona.edu/syllabus-policies SUBJECT TO CHANGE NOTICE: Information contained in this course syllabus, other than the grade and absence policies, may be subject to change with reasonable advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor of this course. TOPICS COVERED DURING THE SEMESTER: 1. SPECIAL THEORY OF RELATIVITY 1.1 Basic Principles and Transformations 1.2 Lorentz Transformation Properties of Physical Quantities 1.3 Lorentz Transformation of Macroscopic Electrodynamics and the EM Field Tensor 2. LAGRANGIAN FORMULATION OF MAXWELL'S EQUATIONS 2.1 Action Principles in Classical Field Theories 2.2 The Field Lagrangian and Noether's Theorem 3. MULTIPOLE FIELDS AND COLLISIONS BETWEEN CHARGED PARTICLES 3.1 Multipole Fields 3.2 Collisions Between Charges 4. RELATIVISTIC TREATMENT OF RADIATION 4.1 Radiative Motion of a Point Charge 4.2 Bremsstrahlung 4.3 Radiation Damping 5. SPECIAL TOPICS 5.1 Synchrotron Radiation 5.2 Superluminal Sources of Radiation 5.3 Two-temperature Plasmas 5.4 Magnetic Compton Scattering PROBLEM SCHEDULE: Section I: Special Relativity (Part I) (due Wednesday, September 23) Section II: Special Relativity (Part II) (due Monday, October 12) Section III: Lagrangian Formulation (due Monday, November 9) Section IV: Multipole Fields and Collisions (due Wednesday, December 2) Section V: Radiation (due Wednesday, December 9) METHOD OF EVALUATION: Problems (20%) First written, Wednesday, October 14 (20%) Second written, Monday, November 23 (20%) Written Final, Friday, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm, December 11, takehome. Hand in by 9:00 am next day. (40%) GRADING SCALE: Grades will be assigned according to the scale shown below. A 85-100% B 70-85% C 60-70% D 50-60% E <50% COVID-19 Related Policies: 1. Meeting Times We will be meeting remotely throughout the semester. We will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays, beginning August 24th, for lectures conducted via ZOOM. The lectures will be recorded, and will be made available on D2L. 2. Face coverings are required in our classroom Per U Arizona’s Administrative Directive, face coverings that cover the nose, mouth, and chin are required to be worn in all learning spaces at the University of Arizona (e.g., in classrooms, laboratories and studios). Any student who violates this directive will be asked to immediately leave the learning space, and will be allowed to return only when they are wearing a face covering. Subsequent episodes of noncompliance will result in a Student Code of Conduct complaint being filed with the Dean of Students Office, which may result in sanctions being applied. The student will not be able to return to the learning space until the matter is resolved. The Disability Resource Center is available to explore face coverings and accessibility considerations if you believe that your disability or medical condition precludes you from utilizing any face covering or mask option. DRC will explore the range of potential options as well as remote course offerings. Should DRC determine an accommodation to this directive is reasonable, DRC will communicate this accommodation with your instructor. 3. Physical distancing is required in our classroom During our in-person class meetings, we will respect CDC guidelines, including restricted seating to increase physical distancing. Any student who does not maintain physical distance from others may be asked to immediately leave the learning space. Noncompliance may result in a Student Code of Conduct complaint being filed with the Dean of Students Office, which may result in sanctions being applied. 4. Classroom attendance If you feel sick, or may have been in contact with someone who is infectious, stay home. Except for seeking medical care, avoid contact with others and do not travel. Notify your instructors if you will be missing an in-person or online course. Campus Health is testing for COVID-19. Please call (520) 621-9202 before you visit in person. Visit the UArizona COVID-19 page for regular updates. 5. Life challenges If you are experiencing unexpected barriers to your success in your courses, please note the Dean of Students Office is a central support resource for all students and may be helpful. The Dean of Students Office can be reached at 520-621-2057 or DOS-deanofstudents@email.arizona.edu. 6. Physical and mental-health challenges If you are facing physical or mental health challenges this semester, please note that Campus Health provides quality medical and mental health care. For medical appointments, call (520-621-9202. For After Hours care, call (520) 570-7898. For the Counseling and Psych Services (CAPS) 24/7 hotline, call (520) 621-3334. 7. Exams All of our exams, the two midterms and the final, will be open-book. The first two will have a time-limit of 1.5 hours, while the final will be an all-day test, beginning at 9:00 am and ending at 5:00 pm. 8. Remote/online only after Thanksgiving Regardless of whether or not we have in-person classes during the semester, after the Thanksgiving holiday, we are scheduled to move to remote teaching. Our classes will be held via ZOOM, as we are planning to do during the ramp-up period starting on August 24th.