Duke Physics Course PHY 231

Physics 231 - Mathematical Methods in Electromagnetism

Instructor

Richard G. Palmer, Professor of Physics

Content

Curvilinear coordinates, non-orthogonal coordinates, tensors, vector calculus, fundamental laws of electromagentism, electrostatics and potential theory, Green's functions, partial differential equations, Legendre functions, spherical harmonics, Bessel functions. See the Detailed Outline.

Audience and Prerequisites

Physical Science and Engineering undergraduate majors and graduate students. Requires Physics 230 or the equivalent.

Textbooks and Other Readings

Mathematical Methods for Physicists, Arfken (3rd Ed.).
Mathematica, Wolfram.
Classical Electrodynamics, Jackson.

Examinations

Two exams and a final.

Other Graded Material

Regular homework assignments, some involving use of Mathematica.

Grade Calculation

Exams 15% each, final 25%, homework 45%.

Other Information

Continuation of Physics 230.
Involves considerable use of Mathematica.

Further Information About PHY 231


Prepared for Spring 1996, last updated: 14-Feb-1996