Electrodynamics I 422521
Fall 2010
Instructor: Prof. Dr. Sami M. AL-Jaber ( Professor of Theoretical Physics)
Office:
Room 2780, 2nd floor, Science Building.
Phone:
(09) 23 45 113/6 Ext. 2306 (New campus)
Office Hours: S T Thu. 9:00 – 11:00 + M W 8:00 – 9:30
E. mail: jabber@najah.edu
Home page: http://www.staff.najah.edu/sami-m-al-jaber
Textbook: J. D. Jackson,"Classical Electrodynamics", 3rd ed., 1999, John
Wiley & Sons.
Course objectives:
This is the first semester of a two semester sequence on theoretical electrodynamics. This
sequence is part of the core curriculum for graduate students in physics. The objectives of
the course are (i) to introduce the student to electrodynamics at a theoretically
sophisticated level; (ii) develop problem solving skills; (iii) develop the techniques of
mathematical physics to solve problems in E&M as well as other areas of physics. In
Physics 422521 we will cover electrostatics, dielectric media, magnetostatics, magnetic
materials, and Maxwell's equations, following closely Chapters 1--6 of Jackson. The
necessary mathematical tools will be developed as needed.
Material:
Chapter 1: Introduction to Electrostatics
• Coulomb's Law, Electric Field, Gauss's Law.
• Differential form of Gauss's Law, Scalar Potential
• Distribution of charges and discontinuities in the electric field.
• Poisson and Laplace equations, Green's Theorem.
• Uniqueness of solution with Dirichlet & Neumann boundary conditions.
• Formal solution with Green's function.
• Electrostatic energy and energy density.
Chapter 2: Boundary – Value Problems in Electrostatics-I
• Method of images with examples.
• Green's function and general solution of the Potential.
• Orthogonal functions and expansion.
• Separation of variables.
Chapter 3: Boundary – Value Problems in Electrostatics-II
• Laplace equation in spherical coordinates.
• Boundary – value problem with azimuthal symmetry.
• Properties of solution and related theorems.
• Expansion of Green's function in spherical coordinates.
Chapter 4: Multipoles and Electrostatics in Macroscopic Media.
• Multipole expansion.
• Elementary treatment of electrostatics with dielectrics.
• Boundary – value problems with dielectrics.
Chapter 5: Magnetostatics
• Introduction, Biot-Savart Law.
• Differential equations of magnetostatics and Ampere's Law.
• Vector potential and magnetic fields.
•
Force and torque on current distributions in external fields.
• Macroscopic equations and boundary conditions.
Chapter 6: Time Varying Fields and Maxwell's Equations.
• Faraday's Law of Induction.
• Energy in magnetic field.
• Displacement current and Maxwell's equations.
• Vector and scalar potential/
• Gauge transformations.
• Poynting theorem and conservation laws.
• Transformation properties of electromagnetic fields.
Grading: Two – midterm exams 40%
Home works
Final Exam
10%
50%
Academic Integrity Statement:
Violation of academic integrity is absolutely and totally prohibited by
University regulations. If an academic dishonesty is committed by a student
then he will be subjected to hard university punishment.