PHY204: Electromagnetic Theory

Term: Fall 2024 (Mid-sem feedback, End-sem feedback)

Instructor: Girish Kulkarni

Teaching assistant: Priya Rani

Venue and timings for lectures: S002, Super Academic Block on Mon, Tue, Wed at 10 am

Course objective: To present a comprehensive introduction to the basic principles of classical electromagnetism

Evaluation policy: 20% Assignments + 10% quizzes + 30% Mid-term exam + 40% end-term exam

Tentative list of topics to be covered:

Introduction to vector algebra, gradient, del operator, divergence, curl, integral calculus, curvilinear coordinates, Helmholtz theorem, Coulomb’s law, continuous charge distributions, Gauss’ Law, electric potential, Poisson equation, Laplace equation, work and energy, solving Laplace’s equation, boundary conditions and uniqueness theorems, method of images, separation of variables, multipole expansion, electric polarization of dielectrics, induced dipoles, bound charges, macroscopic fields, electric displacement, boundary value problems with dielectrics, Biot-Savart Law, Lorentz force law, divergence and curl of magnetic fields, vector potential, boundary conditions, multipole expansion, magnetization, H field, bound currents, Maxwell’s equations in vacuum, wave equation, Poynting theorem, Energy and momentum of fields, electromagnetic induction, conservation Laws, review of the course

Textbooks and reference material:

1. Introduction to Electrodynamics – David. J. Griffiths, 5th edition, Cambridge University Press (2023).
   
2. The Feynman Lectures on Physics Vol 2 – Richard Feynman, Robert Leighton, and Matthew Sands, Caltech.
   
3. Electricity and Magnetism– Edward M. Purcell and David Morin, 3rd edition, Cambridge University Press (2013).
   
4. Classical Electromagnetism – Wolfgang Panofsky and David Phillips, 2nd edition, Dover Publications (2012).
   
5. Classical electromagnetism in a nutshell – Anupam Garg, Princeton University Press (2012).