Identities for Electrodynamics

by Robert G. Brown Duke University Physics Department Durham, NC 27708-0305 Copyright Robert G. Brown, 2024

In order to work electrodynamics problems at the level of Jackson, Griffiths, or Reitz, Milford and Christy, one must be fluent in the identities, definitions, and basic methods of vector differential calculus. However, it is really difficult to remember, for example, the exact form of the curl in spherical coordinates, or all six of the critical differential product rules (needed to facilitate integration by parts).

The sheet provided here is a very terse summary of pretty much all of the identities and definitions you are likely to need in intermediate through advanced classical electrodynamics. It is obviously similar to the tables often placed inside the covers or appendices of electrodynamics textbooks, but is "removable" and can be taken with the student or placed on a digital device even when the textbook is not handy.

Good luck! Feel free to contact me with e.g. bug reports or problems or, if you find that this sheet is still incomplete, with suggestions for additions.