Department of Physics/Science

Physics 4540:  Electrodynamics Homepage

Instructor E-mail:  Dr. David Bahr  [Office hours]
Phone:     (218)755-2916

Note to students:  Physics Club problem-solving clinic schedule in Sattgast 334, or check with a Physics Club member.
Preliminary Course Syllabus

Course Agenda (revised 8/11/2009):
Week 1:  Vector analysis
    8/24/2009:  Introductions
    8/25/2009:  Vector algebra, Sec 1.1
    8/27/2009:  Differential vector calculus, Sec. 1.2
    8/28/2009:  Integral vector calculus, Sec. 1.3
Week 2:  Vector analysis
    8/31/2009:  Curvilinear coordinates, Sec. 1.4
    9/1/2009:  The Dirac delta function, Sec. 1.5
    9/3/2009:  Potential theory, Sec. 1.6
    9/4/2009:  Electric field, Coulomb's law, Sec. 2.1
Week 3:  Electrostatics
    9/7/2009:  No classes - Labor Day
    9/8/2009:  Divergence and curl of electric fields, Sec. 2.2
    9/10/2009:  Electric potential, Sec. 2.3
    9/11/2009:  Energy of a charge distribution, Sec. 2.4
Week 4:  Analysis techniques
    9/14/2009:  Electrostatics of conductors, Sec. 2.5
    9/15/2009:  Laplace's equation, Sec. 3.1
    9/17/2009:  The method of images, Sec. 3.2
    9/18/2009:  Separation of variables, Se.c 3.3
Week 5:  Electric fields in matter
    9/21/2009:  Multipole expansion, Sec. 3.4
    9/22/2009:  Multipole expansion, Sec. 3.4
    9/24/2009:  Polarization, Sec. 4.1
    9/25/2009:  The field of a polarized object, Sec. 4.2
Week 6:  Magnetostatics – the Lorentz force law
    9/28/2009:  Electric displacement, Sec. 4.3
    9/29/2009:  Linear dielectrics, Sec. 4.4
    10/1/2009:  Linear dielectrics, Sec. 4.4
    10/2/2009:  The Lorentz force law, Sec. 5.1
Week 7:   Magnetostatics - the Biot-Savart law
    10/5/2009:  The Biot-Savart law, Sec. 5.2 
    10/6/2009:  The Biot-Savart law, Sec. 5.2
    10/8/2009:  The divergence and curl of B, Sec. 5.3
    10/9/2009:  Magnetic vector potential, Sec. 5.4
Week 8:  Magnetic fields in matter
    10/12/2009:  Magnetization, Sec. 6.1
    10/13/2009:  The field of a magnetized object, Sec. 6.2
    10/15/2009:  The auxiliary field H, Sec. 6.3
    10/16/2009:  Linear and nonlinear media, Sec. 6.4
Week 9:  Midterm Exam
    10/19/2009:  Linear and nonlinear media, Sec. 6.4
    10/20/2009:  Midterm review
    10/22/2009:  Midterm review
    10/23/2009:  Midterm exam
Week 10:  Electrodynamics
    10/26/2009:  Review midterm exam
    10/27/2009:  Electromotive force, Sec. 7.1
    10/29/2009:  Electromotive force, Sec. 7.1
    10/30/2009:  Electromagnetic induction, Sec. 7.2
Week 11:  Electrodynamics
    11/2/2009:  Electromagnetic induction, Sec. 7.2
    11/3/2009:  Maxwell's equations, Sec. 7.3
    11/5/2009:  Maxwell's equations, Sec. 7.3
    11/6/2009:  Maxwell's equations, Sec. 7.3
Week 12:  Conservation laws
    11/9/2009:  Charge and energy, Sec. 8.1
    11/10/2009:  Charge and energy, Sec. 8.1
    11/12/2009:  Momentum, Sec. 8.2
    11/13/2009: Momentum, Sec. 8.2
Week 13:  Electromagnetic waves
    11/16/2009:  Waves in one dimension, Sec. 9.1
    11/17/2009:  Waves in one dimension, Sec. 9.1
    11/19/2009:  Electromagnetic waves in vacuum, Sec. 9.2
    11/20/2009:  Electromagnetic waves in vacuum, Sec. 9.2
Week 14:  Electromagnetic waves
    11/23/2009:  Electromagnetic waves in matter, Sec. 9.3
    11/24/2009:   Electromagnetic waves in matter, Sec. 9.3
    11/25-27/2009:  Thanksgiving Break - no classes
Week 15:  Electromagnetic waves
    11/30/2009:  Absorption and dispersion, Sec. 9.4
    12/1/2009:  Absorption and dispersion, Sec. 9.4
    12/3/2009:  Guided waves, Sec. 9.5
    12/4/2009:  Guided waves, Sec. 9.5
Week 16:  Finals Week
    12/7/2009:  Final review
    12/8/2009:  Final review
    12/16/2009:  Final Exam  1:00 - 3:00 in room S331
                Note:  The final exam generally will not be available to students arriving late.

Last modified:  8/12/2009
Comments to:  dbahr@bemidjistate.edu