Phys 112
Fall 1999
"I have also a paper afloat, with a electromagnetic theory of light which, till I am convinced of the contrary, I hold to be great guns."
James Clerk Maxwell (1864)
The form of electrodynamics created by Maxwell in the 19th century is one of the most profoundly influential formulations in physics. It was a turning point in the history of science. For the first time, theoretical work unified two distinct disciplines, electricity and magnetism. It led to an understanding of light, gave us both new eyes and new ways of communicating in the form of new technologies. The theorys form and success were largely responsible for many of the main movements in 20th century physics, including the search for (elusive) unified theories. So Maxwell was right, the theory is great guns. In fact, there are few subjects we could choose to study which are as theoretically satisfying and full of practical application.
It is also a vast subject.
Fortunately we have a master to guide us through the material. Griffiths writes a clear and interesting text. He uses a classical presentation: Mathematical background is presented first, followed by kinematics, dynamics, and applications. We will begin with the Maxwells mathematics in modern form.
A note on the course information: All materials will be posted on the web server as well as being printed for seminars. The advantage is that the documents can "live." As the semester progresses this syllabus and well as other documents will be modified. All versions will appear on the internet and will be labeled by a version number as in the top right of this page.
Seminars:
My Platonic Ideal of The Swarthmore Seminar: The professor provides a detailed syllabus of a subject which, if followed carefully, will build a solid foundation of the subject. The students, working together with the professor, learn and present the material in class in a way in which is clear to their classmates. Discussion is active, opened ended, intellectually challenging, non-threatening, and "pushes the envelope" of everyones understanding. In preparation every member has no problem asking others about a solution, an integral, or definition. In seminar any remaining issues are cleared up, effectively, briefly and, naturally, with a blinding flash of light. Finally, the goals are two: This work not only builds a solid understanding but also a personal text which can be referred to years and even months later.
The typical seminar will consist of a series of solutions and presentations punctuated by discussion. We will all contribute but I emphasize the complete reversal of roles. You take an active role in teaching yourselves. It is your class! (The last two sentences are in second person plural.)
Here are a few suggestions to help you along:
For better or worse, grades are now part of the seminar experience. There are three aspects to the seminar which are key, a solid understanding of the subject, clear presentations, and a personal text. Therefore there are three parts to the grade:
In sum the grade consists of three parts, your work in seminar (including presentations and the "model" problem set) (50%), the midterm (25%), and the final (25%).
Summary by Week
First Thurs 9/2 Mon 9/6www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/smajor1/Phys112/first.ps Or, at lower quality but in pdf (view with Acrobat Reader) www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/smajor1/Phys112/first.pdf |
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Second Thurs 9/9 Mon 9/13 |
Electrostatics Griffiths Chapter 2 Problems of note: 1,2,6,10,11,13,15,20,21,25,31, 32,34,35,37,49,50, plus "a problem of your own" |
I think the quality of the pdfs is fine especially when printed www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/smajor1/Phys112/second.pdf |
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Third Thurs 9/16 Mon 9/20 8:30 ! |
Techniques for finding fields and potentials Griffiths Chapter 3 Problems of note: 1,2,3,7,8,9,10,12 |
www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/smajor1/Phys112/third.pdf | |
Fourth Thurs 9/23 Mon 9 27 |
More on special techniques Griffiths Chapter 3 Problems of note: 15,17,18,22,23,24,33,34,45,49 |
The seminar guide is included in last weeks "third" |
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Fifth Thurs 9/30 Mon 10/4 |
Electrostatics and matter Griffiths Chapter 4 Problems of note: 2,6,16,28,33,38,40 |
http://www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/smajor1/Phys112/fifth.pdf | |
Sixth Thurs 10/7 Mon 10/18 |
Magnetostatics Griffiths Chapter 5 Problems of note: 3plus, 6,9,11,13,16,19,25,31,36,39 |
http://www.swarthmore.edu/NatSci/smajor1/Phys112/sixth.pdf | |
Midterm |
A four hour take home exam to be taken Oct 19 or Oct 20, see above |
The exam includes material from chapters 1-5 |
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Seventh Thurs 10/21 Mon 10/25 |
Magentostatics and matter Griffiths Chapter 6 Problems:1,6,7,8,11,15,21,23,26 |
seventh.pdf |
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Eighth Thurs 10/28 Mon 11/1 |
The heart: Electrodynamics Griffiths Chapter 7 Problems:2,6,7,11,16,20,33,49, 60 |
eighth.pdf |
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Ninth Thurs 11/4 Mon 11/8 |
Conservation laws Griffiths Chapter 8 Problems:2,5,8,9,11 |
ninth.pdf |
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Tenth Thurs 11/11 Mon 11/15 |
Electromagnetic waves Griffiths Chapter 9 Problems:9,12,16,17,18,20,36 |
tenth.pdf |
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Eleventh Thurs 11/18 Mon 11/22 |
Potentials and fields: Fancy potentials and their ontological status Griffiths Chapter 10 Plus additional article: G. Belot "Understanding Electromagnetism" Brit. J. Phil. Sci. 49 (1998) 531 Problems:1,3,5,8,9,12,13,14,15, 25 |
eleventh.pdf |
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Twelfth Thurs 12/2 Mon 11/29 |
Radiation Griffiths Chapter 11 Problems: Prob 1, 3,10,11,14,22,23 |
twelfth.pdf |
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Thirteenth Thurs 12/9 Mon 12/6 |
Electrodynamics and relativity: I Griffiths Chapter 12 Problems:17,19,36,38,46,47 |
thirteenth.pdf |
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Final |
This four hour take-home will be self-scheduled during exam week |
The material will include all of Griffiths . |
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Fourteenth Tues 12/14 Mon 12/13 |
Relativity II and Review Griffiths Chapter 12 Problems:12.44,12.50,12.54, EM action, 2.15, 3.14, 51, 5.46, 7.43, 8.15 |
fourteenth.pdf |
N.B. We will cover the first two Chapters in the first two weeks. Since the Thursday seminar is on the first day of classes, some of Chapter 1 may spill over into the second week. Lets try to minimize this!
© S. Major 1993-2004 Last modified 19 March 2004