Fundamentals of Electrodynamics

Fundamentals of Electrodynamics is primarily a textbook for graduate students in physics. It is also a valuable at the senior level and as a profession reference book. It will be especially welcome to graduate students planning to do their doctoral research in quantum field theory or elementary particle physics. Fundamentals of Electrodynamics is a textbook for a one or two semester graduate or senior level course in electrodynamics or electromagnetic theory. It seeks to unify classical electrodynamics by using hamilton's principles and the symmetry properties of space and time as basic assumtions. For this reason special relativity is introduced much earlier than in most other texts. With this approach one is able to reduce the number of assumptions to a relatively fe that support the entire subject; in particular, from such basic assumptions, both the relativistic equations of motion for particles and Maxwell's equations for the electrodynamic field are derived. The text is broad in scope and covers, in addition to basic theory, applications to radiation theory, self-force of an electron, natural breadth of spectral lines, geometric optics, electrodynamics of material media, and propagation in moving media. The book contains worked-out examples with sample problems at the end of each chapter. Mathematical appendixes are included and the book is largely self-contained. This textbook conveys the unified nature of electrodynamics and points out, not only the beauty but also the limitations of the theory. The limitations are shown to rise from basic defects in the fundamental assumptions of the theory. The authors present analyses of the logical foundations of classical electrodynamics so that the student can better understand the problems that arise in modern theories, such as quantum electrodynamics. Also, by examining the nature of basic assumption and limits of applicability of a well-developed theory, the authors prepare the student for more difficult theories in elementary particle physics or quantum field theories.

Author: Kaiser S. Kunz

Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

Publication Date: Feb 17, 2011

Number of Pages: 548 pages

Binding: Paperback or Softback

ISBN-10: 1456481932

ISBN-13: 9781456481933