1. Physics 712 – Electricity and Magnetism
Everyone Pick Up:
Syllabus
Two homework passes
Materials
Classical Electrodynamics by John David Jackson
Calculator
Pencils or pens, paper
Symbolic manipulation
Eric Carlson
“Eric”
“Professor Carlson”
Olin 306
Office Hours always
(o) (c)
1/13

2. Dr. Carlson’s Approximate Schedule
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
9:00
research
research
10:00
PHY 712
office hour
PHY 712
office hour
PHY 712
11:00
PHY 742
office hour
PHY 742
office hour
PHY 742
12:00
PHY 109
office hour
PHY 109
office hour
PHY 109
1:00
2:00
research
research
research
research
3:00
Collins Hall
4:00
Free food
colloquium
Collins Hall
5:00
Lab Meeting
I will try to be in my office Tues. Thurs
When in doubt, call/ first

3. Classical Electrodynamics by J.D. Jackson, 3rd Edition
Reading Assignments / The Text
Classical Electrodynamics by J.D. Jackson, 3rd Edition
I’m not writing my own textbook
Contains useful information
Reading assignments every day
ASSIGNMENTS
Day Read Homework
Today none none
Friday
Wednesday , 1.2

4. Homework http://users.wfu.edu/ecarlson/quantum
Problems assigned as we go along
About one problems due every day
Homework is due at 10:00 on day it is due
Late homework penalty 20% per day
Two homework passes per semester
Working with other student is allowed
Seek my help when stuck
You should understand anything you turn in
ASSIGNMENTS
Day Read Homework
Today none none
Friday
Wednesday , 1.2

5. Attendance and Tests Tests Attendance
I do not grade on attendance
Attendance is expected
Class participation is expected
I take attendance every day
Tests
Midterm will be from on March 4
Final will be from 9-12 on April 29

6. Percentage Breakdown:
Grades, Pandemic Plans
Grade Assigned
94% A 77% C+
90% A- 73% C
87% B+ 70% C-
83% B <70% F
80% B-
Percentage Breakdown:
Homework 50%
Midterm 20%
Final 30%
Some curving possible
Emergency contacts:
Web page
Cell:
Pandemic Plans
If there is a catastrophic closing of the university, we will attempt to continue the class:

7. 0A. Math Coordinate Systems We will generally work in three dimensions
A general coordinate in 3d will be denoted x
A general vector will be shown in bold face v
We will often work in Cartesian coordinates
Sometimes in spherical coordinates, related to Cartesian by
Coordinate x is
Sometimes in cylindrical coordinates, related to Cartesian by

8. Vector Identities
Vectors can be combined using dot products to make a scalar
Vectors can be combined using cross-products to make a vector
We often abbreviate
Some vector identities:
Symmetry/antisymmetry:
Triple scalar product:
Double cross-product:
These and many others in Jackson front cover

9. Derivatives in 3D
The vector derivative  can be used for several types of derivatives:
Gradient turns a scalar function into a vector function
Divergence turns a vector function into a scalar function
Curl turns a vector function into a vector function
There is also the Laplacian, a second derivative that can act on scalar or vector functions
Each of these has more complicated forms in non-Cartesian coordinates
See QM lecture notes or inside back cover of Jackson

10. Derivatives Product rule
The product rule for derivatives:
Numerous 3D equivalents for products
Gradient of product of scalars
Divergence of scalar times vector
Curl of scalar times vector
Divergence of a cross product
Each of these and many more in Jackson, front cover

11. Integrals in 3D 3d integrals of vector scalar functions will be common
You should know how to handle these in any coordinate system
Cartesian:
Spherical:
Cylindrical:

12. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus in 3D
Fundamental theorem of calculus says:
In general, in 3d, this theorem lets you do one integral whenever you have an integral in 3d:
Line integral:
Stokes’ Theorem:
Divergence Theorem:
Another theorem:
And another theorem:
All these and more can be found on inside front cover of Jackson

13. Sample Problem 0.1
Work in spherical coordinates
For x  0, take divergence
Tricky at x = 0 because everything is infinite there!
Integrate over a sphere of radius R using the divergence theorem:
Since the integral is zero except at the origin, we must have
You can generalize this where x is replaced by the difference from an arbitrarily chosen origin x':
Consider the vector function x/|x|3 . (a) Find the divergence for x  0. (b) By integrating over a sphere around the origin, show that the divergence does not vanish there. R

14. 0B. Units
Units is one of the most messed-up topics in electricity and magnetism
We will use SI units throughout
Fundamental units:
From these are derived lots of non fundamental units:
Equations of E and M sometimes depends on choice of units!
Distance meter m
Time second s
Mass kilogram kg
Charge coulomb C
Frequency hertz Hz s–1
Force newton N kgm/s2
Energy joule J Nm
Power watt W J/s
Current amp A C/s
Potential volt V J/C
Resistance ohm  V/A
Magnetic induction
tesla T kg/C/s
Magnetic flux weber Wb Tm2
Inductance Henry H Vs/A