Physics 704 - Spring 2010

Contact Information
Learning Outcomes
Methods of Evaluation
Course Content
Course Schedule

Contact Information

Learning Outcomes

• Obtain the transmitted wave that propagates through media by considering the effects of the electronic properties of molecules.
• Solve for the radiation due to oscillating current distributions.
• Solve for the radiation due to various antenna configurations.
• Understand the general solution to the Helmholtz equation in the radiation zone as a multipole expansion and how to obtain each term from given source distributions.
• Examine the effects of scattering of waves by media at various wavelengths.
• Learn how to apply the essentials of Einstein's theory of relativity to electromagnetic phenomena. We consider especially relativistic kinematics, the electromagnetic field tensor, covariance thereof and the relativistic precession of spin.
• Study the motion of charged particles in electromagnetic fields using the action principle.
• Understand and compute the energy loss of charged particles in dense media; understand Cherenkov radiation and transition radiation; study Bremsstrahlung radiation emitted during charged particle collisions with nuclei. [We will cover as much as time allows here.]

Students are expected to know electrodynamics at the PHYS 703 level before they take this course. Only students who have done well in PHYS 703 should take this course. Also, students should know mathematical methods of physics.

Classwork

• Scope: when in doubt, omit additional points. Try not to make a comprehensive talk. 5 minutes is a very short time. Try to make only one point and make it clearly.
• Topic: Generally speaking, it means what it says. For example: "Experimental observation of" means an experimental observation of (whatever is specified). It does not mean a "theoretical derivation of". It does not mean a "gedanken experiment explaining". It does not mean an experimental observation of something completely different. If you do not understand a topic, it does not mean you are free to talk about something else. It means you must come and discuss the topic further with me (in advance, and not 5 minutes before the lecture). Bottom line: Stick to the topic!

Methods of Evaluation

Grading: Students turning in less than 70% of homeworks will automatically earn an F grade. For other students, the course score will be calculated as follows:
Classwork: 10%, Homework: 30%, Test 1: 10%, Test 2: 10%, Final Exam: 40%.

Detailed Course Schedule