Classical Field Theory: Electromagnetism and Gravitation 1st Edition by Francis E. Low (PDF)

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The author uses a unique approach which emphasizes the field theoretic aspects of gravitation and the strong analogies between gravitation and the other areas that are studied in physics. The theory-centered text begins with the simplest experimental facts then proceeds to the corresponding differential equations, theoretical constructs such as energy, momentum and stress and several applications. End-of-chapter problems provide students with an opportunity to test their understanding, serve as an introduction to and a review of material not included in the book and can be used to develop examples, extensions and generalizations of the material presented.

User’s Reviews

Editorial Reviews: From the Publisher The author uses a unique approach which emphasizes the field theoretic aspects of gravitation and the strong analogies between gravitation and the other areas that are studied in physics. The theory-centered text begins with the simplest experimental facts then proceeds to the corresponding differential equations, theoretical constructs such as energy, momentum and stress and several applications. End-of-chapter problems provide students with an opportunity to test their understanding, serve as an introduction to and a review of material not included in the book and can be used to develop examples, extensions and generalizations of the material presented. From the Back Cover A unique textbook on electromagnetism and gravitation This volume combines a novel approach with an accessible, down-to-earth treatment of electromagnetism and gravitation. It leads the student through classical electromagnetic theory, and introduces the gravitational field as a conventional second-rank tensor field. Clear, concise, and self-contained, this theoretical exposition focuses on basic principles rather than applications and avoids abstractions through a careful selection of topics. Classical Field Theory: Electromagnetism and Gravitation features * Everything a student should know to grasp the fundamentals of classical field theory * A chapter on scattering that discusses material not readily available in other textbooks * Two appendices–one on vectors and tensors, the other on spherical harmonics–to review material recurring throughout the text * End-of-chapter exercises, some of which serve as mini-research problems Based on courses taught by the author at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Classical Field Theory is an excellent text for a two-semester first-year graduate course on electromagnetism and gravitation. About the Author Francis E. Low is Institute Professor Emeritus of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. With over 40 years in the field, he has lectured and published widely on theoretical and particle physics. Read more

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

⭐Francis Low may not have written a pedagogic text, but, he has written a fascinating treatise stamped with his imprint. It deserves your consideration. Keep two words in mind: “field” and “theory.” The book is aimed to graduate students. David Griffiths text should have been assimilated prior to this text. Is this book for you ? Answered in the appendices: vectors and tensors, spherical harmonics and orthogonal polynomials. There you find thirty-three exercise problems: can you solve them ? If so, continue. If not, review the mathematics of those appendices: without it you will be lost ! Are you comfortable dealing with Dirac delta functions ? If not, a hurdle to overcome. Gaussian units utilized, if MKS units are your preference, a hurdle to overcome. Peruse Garg, Classical Electromagnetism In A Nutshell (2012, chapter one), it will prepare you. Assuming those prerequisites, Low’s book offers much of value:(1) We meet Green and his function (page 17). This an indication that the text will be challenging ! Discussion regards generalized forces and keeping track of signs in a system of conductors (page 22). The exercises for chapter one are representative of the entire text. Physics is the least of your issues; more than likely than not, it will be insufficient background in mathematics which poses barrier to solution. Problem #1.7 ( parts a, b, c) should be easily completed by a graduate student (page 37). Problem# 1.35 is an interesting problem: a variational calculation (page 44).(2) Treatment of magnetic dipoles (page 50) offers comparison to Garg: chapter four. The vector acrobatics is second-nature, or not. If not, refresh your memory (Garg). Motional electromotive force and induction is well-done (see section 2.5, pages 66-69). Exercises here are challenging and interesting. I like section 2.15 (page 79), invariance of force and change of coordinate system. Low describes time-averaged flux lucidly, so as not to lose sight of students (page 105).(3) Green function, utilized in following chapter: Radiation. Careful consideration (paper and pencil in hand) through intermediate steps will serve you well. Read: “…we find, after some algebra.” (page 167). Can you “do the algebra” ? Discussion of scattering spans sixty pages. It is here where Francis Low has made his mark. Beginning with scalar wave equation (attention to Equation 5.2.0). We read: “…we shall use that procedure from now on.” Expansion in Legendre polynomials (page 198, equation 5.5.5) Learn them now. We are forewarned that equations 5.10.9 and 5.10.10 can be solved algebraically (page 219). Thus, a request: perform the algebraic manipulations.(4) If you have progressed this far, next two chapters will hold your interest: Invariance and Special Relativity. Lucid as any other, admittedly more formal (“Schwingerian”). I highlight section 6.6 (pages 271-277): conservation of electric charge, symmetric stress tensor. We read: “This is as close as one can come in a relativistic theory, the center of energy moves with constant velocity. None of the other center of mass theorems of non-relativistic mechanics hold.”(5) My favorite chapter follows: Lagrangian field theory. The chapter concludes with a most fascinating demonstration of the conservation of the stress- energy- momentum tensor. Follow along, Francis Low leaves few stones unturned. Thus, the material can be assimilated. The chapter-end problems make for some of the more challenging of the book. Perhaps, research topics ? Finally, Gravity: homage to Schwinger apparent. Alongside Feynman, Gupta,Thirring: “… we will be led to a theory that will turn out to be a linear approximation to Einstein’s theory…” (page 339). Fifty pages of mandatory reading ! The approach is advanced, imbued with Francis Low’s perspective. The book is here distinctive.(6) The prerequisites should be in hand and second nature (Review Griffiths and/or Garg ). If that is not so, this text will be inaccessible. It is not a first initiation to any of its topics. With those reservations, I do recommend this book to those with an interest in these things. As reviewed in Physics Today: ” Despite these criticisms, I feel that Low’s book provides a valuable introduction to electromagnetism and gravitation at the graduate level and will be of particular use to aspiring theoretical particle physicists.” (Robert M. Wald).

⭐Difficult to understand, very few examples, and the problems aren’t very good at telling you what they are asking for. Maybe good if you already have a decent understanding of E&M, but this is not an appropriate text for a first graduate level class. Use Jackson for most stuff, fill in the gaps of what you missed as an undergraduate with Griffiths, and use Barut for the field theory stuff.

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