University of Akron
Spring 2011
Physics 436/536: Electromagnetism I
Instructor: Ben Yu-Kuang Hu
Classroom & meeting times: Ayer 256, Tuesdays & Thursdays, 10:45 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Office: Ayer 200
Telephone: (330) 972 8093
E-mail: byhu@uakron.edu
Office Hours: Monday 10 a.m. -11 a.m., Tuesday 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m., Wednesday 11
a.m. – 12:00 noon., Thursday 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., or by appointment.
Grader: To be arranged
Website: http://www.physics.uakron.edu/dept/faculty/benhu/436-s11/index.htm
Format of course: Tuesdays mainly discussion, Thursdays mainly lecture.
Books on Electromagnetic Theory
In electromagnetism, there are unfortunately several different unit systems, each with its
own advantages and disadvantages. The two most widely used are SI and Gaussian. The
type of units used by the author(s) is indicated.
Required Text: David J. Griffiths, Introduction to Electrodynamics, 3rd Ed. (PrenticeHall, 1999) – Probably the most widely used text for undergraduate level
electromagnetism in the U.S.A. Written in a readable and informal style. (SI units)
Other books on electromagnetic theory that you may wish to consult during the course.

W. N. Cottingham and D. A Greenwood, Electricity and Magnetism (Cambridge
University Press, 1991) – An undergraduate-level textbook used in Great Britain.
Concise (main text is 166 pages) but clear. Assumes knowledge of vector
calculus, does not cover Laplace’s equation. Has semi-detailed solutions to many
problems at the end of the book. (SI units)

Richard Fitzpatrick, Maxwell’s Equations and the Principles of Electromagnetism
(Infinity Science Press, 2008) – Introduces Maxwell’s equations and
electromagnetic much earlier than other undergraduate textbooks. (SI units)

Robert H. Good, Classical Electromagnetism (Saunders College, 1999) – An
undergraduate-level textbook, at a level slightly lower level than our textbook,
Griffiths. Examples seem to be worked out in a little more detail than Griffiths.
(SI units)

R. P. Feynman, R. B. Leighton and M. Sands, The Feynman Lectures on Physics
Vol. 2 (Addison-Wesley, 1964) – A classic. Full of physical insights. (SI units)

S. Grant and W. R. Phillips, Electromagnetism, 2nd ed. (Wiley, 1991) –
undergraduate-level textbook used in Great Britain. Worth a look. (SI units)

Mark A. Heald and Jerry B. Marion, Classical Electromagnetic Radiation, 3rd ed.
(Brooks/Cole, 1995) – Authors’ preface: “This textbook attempts to fill a special
niche in the undergraduate curriculum, lying between a one-semester junior-year
course in electromagnetism and the canonical first-year-graduate course.” A little
bit more advanced than our level, but quite readable nonetheless. (Gaussian units)

John D. Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics, 3rd ed. (Wiley, 1998) – The standard
graduate level text, comprehensive but is definitely not “easy reading.” One
reviewer on Amazon said that (s)he would rather be poked in the eye by a stick
than read Jackson. (Uses SI at beginning, then switches to Gaussian units.)

Fulvio Melia, Electrodynamics (University of Chicago Press, 2001) – from the
“Chicago Lectures in Physics” series. A graduate-level text that is essentially a
slimmer, kinder, gentler and much cheaper version of Jackson (but without any
problems). (Gaussian units)

Hans C. Ohanian, Classical Electrodynamics, 2nd ed. (Infinity Science Press,
2007) – An undergraduate-level text, but unusual in that it introduces relativity
first before discussing magnetic fields. (Gaussian units)

G. L. Pollack and Deniel R. Stump, Electromagnetism (Addison-Wesley, 2002) –
An undergraduate-level text Editor’s blurb: “Electromagnetism provides an ideal
preparation for those who plan more advanced studies in electrodynamics as well
as those moving into industry or engineering.” (SI units)

Melvin Schwartz, Principles of Electrodynamics (Dover, 1972) – Editor’s blurb:
“Suitable for advanced undergraduate or graduate students…” Unique order of
topics; relativity is introduced early, then is used to derive the existence of
magnetic fields. Author is a 1988 physics Nobel Prize winner. (Gaussian units)

Albert Shadowitz, The Electromagnetic Field (Dover, 1988) – Editor’s blurb:
“designed for juniors and seniors in physics or electrical engineering …”
Examples are typically worked out in more detail than most other texts. (SI units)
Supplementary Books:
 Daniel Fleisch, A Student’s Guide to Maxwell’s Equations (Cambridge
University Press, 2008) – name says it all. Gives detailed explanations for each
symbol in Maxwell’s equations. (SI units)
 H. M. Schey, Div, Curl and All That; 4th edition (W. W. Norton, 2005) – A nice
very readable introduction to vector calculus. (SI units when considering E&M
examples.)
Topics to be covered First seven chapters of Griffiths' book, in sequence, and a little
bit of Chapter 9. This includes:
 vector calculus (useful in several branches of physics);
 principles of electrostatics and magnetostatics (that is, electric and magnetic fields
that do not vary with time);
 several different techniques for solving problems in electro- and magnetostatics
(also useful in other branches of physics);
 an introduction to Maxwell's equations and electrodynamics (time-varying fields),
and glimpses into topics such as electromagnetic waves and radiation.
Homework Policy


Working together: You are permitted (in fact, encouraged) to discuss the
homework assignments among yourselves. However, writing up the homework
must be done separately.
Late homework: Homework is due in class on the stipulated date. Late homework
should be given directly to the grader, who can refuse to accept your homework
or deduct points for lateness.
Grading scheme



Homework: 40%
Midterm Tests: 20% of higher score (in terms of percentage), 15% of lower score.
Comprehensive Final Examination: 25%
Point to letter grade conversion table:
Letter Grade
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
Points (out of 100)
86
82
78
74
70
66
62
58
54
50
46
< 46
Under extenuating circumstances (e.g., if the averages on examinations are low because
the exams were inadvertently made too long and/or difficult), the point cut-offs may be
adjusted downwards. They will not be adjusted upwards, so if you score an average of 86
or above, you are guaranteed an “A”.
Tentative schedule
Week
1 (Jan 11,13)
2 (Jan 18, 20)
3 (Jan 25, 27)
4 (Feb 1, 3)
5 (Feb 8, 10)
6 (Feb 17)
7 (Feb 22, 24)
8 (Mar 1, 3)
9 (Mar 8, 10)
10 (Mar 22, 24)
11 (Mar 29, 31)
12 (Apr 5, 7)
13 (Apr 12, 14)
14 (Apr 19, 21)
15 (Apr 26, 28)
Chapters of
textbook
1
1
1
2
2
2
2
3
3
3
No class
3
4
Test 1
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
6
6
7
Test 2
7
7
9
9
Review
Test 1 will be on chapters 1 through 3, Test 2 will be on chapters 4 through 6.