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Calendar

Lec # Topics Key Dates

1

Introduction to Fields

Vectors, Index Notation, Basic Vector Operations

  

2

Review of Vector Calculus

Potential Fields, Stokes and Divergence Theorems, Curvilinear Coordinates

Problem set 1 out

3

Vector Calculus in Spherical Coordinates, Volume and Area Elements, Dirac Delta Function

  

4

Delta Function in Three Dimensions and in Curvilinear Coordinates, Laplacian of 1/r

Problem set 2 out

5

Electric Field, Coulomb's and Gauss's Laws, Boundary Conditions on Electric Field

Problem set 1 due

6

Electric Potential, Work and Energy in Electrostatics

  

7

Conductors and Capacitors, Laplace's Equation, Mean Value and Uniqueness Theorems

Problem set 2 due

Problem set 3 out

8

Image Charges, Separation of Variables

  

9

Separation of Variables (cont.), Legendre Polynomials

  

10

Multipole Expansion, Dipole Fields

Problem set 3 due

Problem set 4 out

11

Dipoles and Electric Polarization in Matter

  

12

Dielectrics, Bound and Free Charges, Electric Displacement

Problem set 5 out

13

Boundary Value Problems with Dielectrics

Problem set 4 due

14

Lorentz Force Law, Biot-Savart Law, Ampere's Law

  

15

Magnetic Vector Potential, Boundary Conditions on B

Problem set 5 due

Problem set 6 out

16

Magnetic Multipoles, Torque, Force, and Energy of Magnetic Dipoles

  

17

Magnetic Materials, Paramagnetism, Diamagnetism, Magnetization, Bound Currents

  

18

H Field, Boundary Conditions on H, Magnetic Susceptibility and Permeability, Ampere's Law with Free Currents, Ferromagnetism

Problem set 6 due

Problem set 7 out

19

Midterm Exam (Chapters 1-6)

  

20

Ohm's Law, EMFs, Faraday's Law

  

21

Inductance, Magnetic Energy Density

Problem set 7 due

Problem set 8 out

22

Displacement Current, Charge Conservation, Field Lines, Polarization Current, Maxwell Equations in Matter

  

23

Boundary Conditions on Fields, Energy-momentum Conservation for EM Fields, Poynting Theorem, Charging Capacitor

  

24

Momentum carried by EM Fields, Maxwell Stress Tensor, Momentum Flux

Problem set 8 due

25

Waves in One and Three Dimensions, Reflection and Transmission, Polarization

  

26

Electromagnetic Waves in Vacuum, Energy and Momentum carried by EM Waves

Problem set 9 out

27

EM Waves in Matter, Reflection and Transmission at a Dielectric Interface, Laws of Geometric Optics

  

28

Fresnel Equations, Polarization by Reflection, EM Waves in Imperfect Conductors

  

29

How a Microwave Oven Works: Joule Heating by EM Waves in Imperfect Conductors

Problem set 9 due

30

Lorentz Oscillator Model for Atomic Dispersion and Absorption, Negative-index Materials

  

31

Waveguides, TE and TM Modes

Problem set 10 out

32

Helmholtz Theorem, EM Potentials, Gauge Transformations, Coulomb Gauge, Lorentz Gauge and Green's Function Solution

  

33

Coulomb Gauge Potentials, Jefimenko's Equations, Lienard-Wiechert Potentials

  

34

EM Fields of a Moving Point Charge, Geometric Interpretation of Radiation Fields, Radiation from an Accelerated Charge, Power Pattern

Problem set 10 due

Problem set 11 out

35

Radiated Power, Radiation Reaction, Electric Dipole Radiation, Larmor Formula

  

36

Electric Quadrupole and Magnetic Dipole Radiation, Thomson Scattering

  

37

4-vectors, Lorentz Transformations, 4-current and 4-potential, Lorentz Force Law

Problem set 11 due

38

Lorentz Transformation of EM Fields, Maxwell Field Strength Tensor, Covariant Maxwell Equations

  

39

Electromagnetism of Pulsars

  
 

Final Exam