Classical Electromagnetism in a Nutshell by Anupam Garg (PDF)

Description

A comprehensive, modern introduction to electromagnetismThis graduate-level physics textbook provides a comprehensive treatment of the basic principles and phenomena of classical electromagnetism. While many electromagnetism texts use the subject to teach mathematical methods of physics, here the emphasis is on the physical ideas themselves. Anupam Garg distinguishes between electromagnetism in vacuum and that in material media, stressing that the core physical questions are different for each. In vacuum, the focus is on the fundamental content of electromagnetic laws, symmetries, conservation laws, and the implications for phenomena such as radiation and light. In material media, the focus is on understanding the response of the media to imposed fields, the attendant constitutive relations, and the phenomena encountered in different types of media such as dielectrics, ferromagnets, and conductors. The text includes applications to many topical subjects, such as magnetic levitation, plasmas, laser beams, and synchrotrons.Classical Electromagnetism in a Nutshell is ideal for a yearlong graduate course and features more than 300 problems, with solutions to many of the advanced ones. Key formulas are given in both SI and Gaussian units; the book includes a discussion of how to convert between them, making it accessible to adherents of both systems.Offers a complete treatment of classical electromagnetismEmphasizes physical ideasSeparates the treatment of electromagnetism in vacuum and material mediaPresents key formulas in both SI and Gaussian unitsCovers applications to other areas of physicsIncludes more than 300 problems

User’s Reviews

Reviews from Amazon users which were colected at the time this book was published on the website:

⭐Two books recently appeared on the textbook horizon:Garg’s book (2012) and the text of Zangwill (2013). I acquired both and I studied from both. I like them both. However, I like this textbook a bit more. A few reasons for my preference:(1) This text displays major equations in both Gaussian and SI Units, good pedagogy (Zangwill has preference for SI units. My preference is for CGS, if only due that the Electric and Magnetic Fields are ultimately inseparable entities–read the Preface of Schwartz, Principles of Electrodynamics,1972).(2) Garg does not utilize ” i ” in the metric of special relativity. (Being a student of Edwin Taylor and John Wheeler, Spacetime Physics, I have never warmed up to the use of ” i ” for discussing relativity, which Zangwill utilizes).For a deeper reason, consult Representations of the Rotation and Lorentz Groups by Gel’fand, Minlos and Shapiro.I have spent more time with Garg’s text than Zangwill’s text, therefore I turn to Garg’s exposition:(A) Chapter one, a brief Survey, is followed by a thirty page review of the mathematical skills necessary for perusal of this textbook. Section eight (chapter two) is a delightful, but brief, account of Stoke’s and Gauss’ Theorems. Exercises occur within sections, an excellent pedagogic strategy. The next chapter, Electrostatics in Vacuum, has a nice problem of electrostatics in crystals (Compare: section 8.3, Feynman Lectures, Volume Two) and a nice discussion of Electric field divergence and curl as a substantiation of Coulomb’s Law (page 65). Magnetostatics follows. Again, magnetic field divergence and curl plus symmetry considerations flesh out the discussion of static/steady currents, concurrently with divergence and curl of point dipoles.(B) We read: “If accelerating charges produce radiation, how can the magnetic field be constant in time ?” (page 93). Discussion then ensues. The Table of Maxwell Equations, and this: “…it would be a delusion to think that we can ever do anything but guess the Laws of Physics…” (page 128) followed by a nice exercise of field decomposition into transverse and longitudinal parts (page 131). Fifth chapter, we read: “….only changes in energy are meaningfully considered…” (a remark subsequently elaborated upon). Symmetries and conservation laws, next : Poynting and angular momentum considerations plus some relativity (page 149). Electromagnetic waves, polarization and lasers, all discussed in exemplary fashion. We read: “…the oft-heard statement that the Photon is a spin-one particle means no more and no less than that the EM Field must be represented in terms of a potential that is a tensor of rank one…”(page 175). Coverage in the following chapter extends to interference phenomena, which gets one to the exceptional ninth chapter wherein Green’s Functions are introduced and utilized. Section 57, equation ten (page 212) should be compared with the physical discussion expounded upon in Feynman’s Lectures, Volume One, Chapter 28. Delightful !(C) Those three chapters (nine, ten and eleven) encapsulate Time-Dependence and make for a marvelous trilogy. “Action Principles” are next: this material, while satisfying, can be expanded by perusal of Schwinger’s Electrodynamics Text. One should review Feynman’s Special Lecture Chapter 19, Principle of Least Action, his Volume Two, as a preliminary to Garg. All pieces then come together as one ! Reiterating: Feynman, Schwinger and Garg as trilogy.(D) Four chapters (13,14,15 & 16) give complete expositions of the difficult topic of the (Static) Fields in and around material bodies. This exposition is as captivating as that which is found in Eyges’ fine book, Classical Electromagnetic Field. Compare and contrast !(E) Later chapters spend some time on time-dependence (18,19, 20 & 21). Following which: scattering, being brief, yet entertaining (especially Section 148, scattering by small particles). Following that is special relativity (reiterating: no use of “imaginary-time coordinate”) and a beautiful section (#158) on accelerated motion. Electromagnetism coupled with special relativity is discussed in an excellent chapter 24. (Compare page 570, to Gravitation by Misner, Thorne, and Wheeler, pages 63-64 !). The text concludes with discussion of radiation from relativistic sources, compare this to Schwinger.(F) Excellent exercises, sometimes with hints and solutions, a bibliography for further reading, and appendices (special functions) all conspire to provide a rich source of inspiration. The author writes with clarity and profundity.Much else awaits the prospective student.This is an excellent, advanced, textbook.

⭐I now have three texts on graduate EM. Jackson, Zangwill and now this book. The Jackson is of course canonical and has been a rite of passage for almost every student who has undertaken a 2-semester course in graduate EM. But the style is dry and the density of the information packed within it can sometimes result in a cryptic read. This is a much easier read. The downside is that the chapter problems are few and far in between and are nowhere as probing or as comprehensive as those within Jackson. I would recommend this as a adjunct book in a formal class. I think in companion with Zangwill you would have a formidable amount of clear and incisive material that should take you through most graduate classes.

⭐I am not aware of any nut on this earth whose shell could contain this volume. That, however, is my only negative criticism of the book. The material is presented as well as I’ve ever seen it, clearly, concisely, and logically, in both CGS and MKS units (often texts at this level pick one; here you not only get both, but gain fluency in conversion). This book has helped deepen my understanding of the material greatly. In terms of knowledge gained vs. effort expended to gain it, this is the best E&M book I’ve ever used, on a par with Landau’s “Mechanics”. I can’t recommend this strongly enough, and if I ever teach a graduate E&M course, this will be the text.

⭐The aproach to what can be a daunting subject is quite effective. The author is good at filling in the gaps where many texts in this area fail. It, however, has a few weaknesses like all books. It cannot compete with the readability and clarity of Griffith’s undergraduate text and it lacks the depth of Jackson’s book but is a good midpoint between these two references.

⭐Awesome book! A must have for any serious physics student!

⭐This is one of many similar books that I own. I love it!

⭐This book is an quite well-written and well-organized textbook on electrodynamics by one of the leading experts in this area. I have used this book in my lecture on Advanced Electromagnetism and many of my students told me that this book is better than another textbooks on Classical Electrodynamics since this book is extremely useful to find the physical concepts and to acquire the mathematical details in the subjects. I trust that this is a very useful book for anyone interested in physics.

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