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406-0204-AAL 7 Credits MSC D-PHYS

Electrodynamics

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Johannes Brödel
Enrolment ONLY for MSc students with a decree declaring this course unit as an additional admission requirement. Any other students (e.g. incoming exchange students, doctoral students) CANNOT enrol for this course unit.
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-06-03 00:14:41

Abstract

Introduction to Electrodynamics. Discussion and formulation of Maxwell’s equations in vacuum and with matter. Connection to the special theory of relativity.

Objective

Conceptual understanding of static and dynamic charged objects and of the structure of the classical field theory of electrodynamics including gauge symmetries. Recognition of the relation between electrical, magnetic and optical phenomena and the influence of matter. Understanding of classical phenomena of electrodynamics and ability to independent solution of simple problems. Application of mathematical capabilities for fields and differential equations. Conceptual understandig of the basics of the relativistic formulation of electrodynamics.

Content

• electrostatics • magnetostatics • Maxwell’s equations • electromagnetic waves • relativistic field equations • conservation laws and symmetries • field and radiation of point charges • electrodynamics with matter • special field configurations

Resources

Literature

• J.D. Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics • W.K.H Panovsky and M. Phillis, Classical electricity and magnetism • L.D. Landau, E.M. Lifshitz, and L.P. Pitaevskii, Electrodynamics of continuous media • A. Sommerfeld, Electrodynamics / Optics (Lectures on Theoretical Physics) • M. Born and E. Wolf, Principles of optics • R. Feynman, R. Leighton, and M. Sands, The Feynman Lectures of Physics, Vol II

General Information

Language
English
Levels
MSC
Frequency
Semesterly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
revision course / private study Electrodynamics
Self-study course. No presence required.
No time listed 210 h semesterly

Offered In