Electrodynamics 1100-3005

Electromagnetic interactions together with weak and strong interactions form presently the Standard Model of particle physics which has been tested and confirmed with remarkable precision. Electrodynamics is the best understood part of this model. The formulation of classical electrodynamic in the second half of XIXth century started the process of unifying all fundamental forces with the recognition, that electric and magnetic forces are two incarnations of a single fundamental interaction.
Good working knowledge of electrodynamics is necessary for understanding of modern quantum theory of fundamental interactions.

The goal of the lecture is to present a complete and consistent description of electromagnetic phenomena and to formulate basic theoretical ideas and technical tools.

Program:

1. Maxwell equations in vacuum, their invariance under Lorentz transformations, properties and implications, conservation laws.
2. Elements of the special theory of relativity: addition of velocities, spacetime and four-tensors, covariant formulation of Maxwell equations.
3. Maxwell equations in matter, macroscopic fields, boundary conditions.
4. Electrostatics and magnetostatics: basic equations, Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions, Green functions, multipole expansions.
5. Non-stationary electromagnetic field: electromagnetic waves in vacuum and in matter, field of a moving charge, electromagnetic radiation.

A minimal amount of time needed to pass successfully include:
- 90h of student's participation in lectures and classes
- 70h for tests and homework
- 20h for preparation to written and oral exams

Prepared by Wojciech Satuła, November 2011 (modified by Janusz Rosiek, 2014)