Classical Electrodynamics: A Concise and Detailed Guide

Classical Electrodynamics: A Concise and Detailed Guide covers the essential theoretical foundations of electrodynamics from the vector calculus formulation to the classical gauge field theory.

The essential theoretical formalism of electrodynamics is covered with all mathematical derivations provided. The derivations are uniquely presented with inline, line-by-line explanations, which makes every derivation easy to follow. The reader does not need to struggle to fill in the steps, and the reader can focus on pondering over the physical content and implications of the derived results. The content is supplemented with numerous exercises with their complete solutions included.

This book is for students who are interested in theoretical physics and seek an efficient but proper preparation of the essential knowledge in electrodynamics and classical gauge field theory. With this background knowledge, the student will be able to progress further into concepts beyond electrodynamics, like general relativity or quantum gauge field theories.

Part I Basic Formalism of Electrodynamics (in vector calculus form)

1 Conservation Laws

2 Potential Formulation of Electrodynamics

3 Standard Application 1: Point Charge

4 Standard Application 2: Radiation

5 Standard Application 3: Scattering of EM waves

6 Exercises for Part I

Part II Electrodynamics in Lorentz Covariant Form (in tensor calculus form)

7 Special Relativity

8 Electrodynamics recast into a manifestly Lorentz covariant form

9 Exercises for Part II

Part III Classical Relativistic U(1) Gauge Theory

10 Lagrangian description of a classical relativistic U(1) gauge theory

11 Exercises for Part III

Part IV Solutions to the Problems

12 Solutions to Exercises in Part I

13 Solutions to Exercises for Part II

14 Solutions to Exercises for Part III

Part V Appendices

15 Mathematics: Vector Calculus

16 Summary of Electromagnetism

Bibliography

Meng Lee Leek is a Senior Lecturer of Physics at Nanyang Technological University of Singapore (NTU). He has been awarded the Nanyang Education Award once and the Teaching Excellence Award 3 times. His research interests lie in theoretical physics, and he enjoys showing students the world of theoretical physics through supervision of numerous student projects.