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Reddit mentions of Principles of Electrodynamics (Dover Books on Physics)

Sentiment score: 3
Reddit mentions: 6

We found 6 Reddit mentions of Principles of Electrodynamics (Dover Books on Physics). Here are the top ones.

Principles of Electrodynamics (Dover Books on Physics)
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Specs:
Height8.47 Inches
Length5.44 Inches
Number of items1
Release dateOctober 1987
Weight0.84 Pounds
Width0.72 Inches

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Found 6 comments on Principles of Electrodynamics (Dover Books on Physics):

u/redditor62 · 8 pointsr/PhysicsStudents

It seems to me that introductory electromagnetism is, physically, very simple.

If the subject is difficult, I suspect it has more to do with the math than the physics. Unlike introductory mechanics, most problems in E/M rely heavily on vectors and vector calculus (and for many students E/M is also a first introduction to other more sophisticated mathematical ideas, like Laplace's equation and coordinate transformations).

As far as introductory level books go, though, I think Griffiths handles the added mathematical rigour of E/M quite well. Griffiths explains his math in great detail throughout the text, and chapter 1 is a thorough and complete, but straightforward and simple, treatment of vector calculus; I recommend that you study it in great detail (and work many problems) before continuing to the physics. Preparation in linear algebra is probably also helpful as well.

Also, keep in mind that there are several approaches to electromagnetism. As I recall, Griffiths develops the theory more or less historically, and only makes the connection with special relativity in the final chapters. If you want to look at the ideas from another angle, you could try a book like Purcell or Schwartz, which use special relativity to derive magnetism as a theoretical, rather than experimental, result. Personally, I find this approach more elegant, interesting, and even a little easier; nonetheless, understanding both approaches is important in the long run.

Edit: By the way, another book to consider is Shadowitz (I have only read the first 5 chapters, and I still recommend it on that basis alone). Shadowitz develops the basic theory very logically and consistently: chapters 2 through 5 cover the divergence and curl of E and B (one chapter each). At times the explanations are lengthy, but this might be useful for a struggling student.

u/dp01n0m1903 · 4 pointsr/science

Feynman's Lectures (vol. 2, chapter 13) discusses this connection. See also the book by Melvin Schwartz, Principles of Electrodynamics.

u/iDante · 2 pointsr/learnmath

If you want something cheap and good then I suggest "Principles of Electrodynamics" by Schwartz.

From the back: "Unlike most textbooks on electromagnetic theory, which treat electricity, magnetism, Coulomb's law and Faraday's law as almost independent subjects within the framework of the theory, this well-written text takes a relativistic point of view in which electric and magnetic fields are really different aspects of the same physical quantity."

It actually does. It starts with electrostatics, then teaches relativity, then shows why there must be a magnetic field due to relativistic invariance. It is advanced and clear. It goes into the why AND the how.

http://www.amazon.com/Principles-Electrodynamics-Dover-Books-Physics/dp/0486654931

u/schmin · 1 pointr/Random_Acts_Of_Amazon

Dover Principles of Electrodynamics (used, very good or better, please, so there's no writing to distract me from my own musings) -- it would help me prepare for my comprehensive exams! =)

I was schooled by my mother after elementary/secondary school -- she figured she could home-school me after I returned home from public school. My mom introduced me to the scientific method at a very early age, intriguing me about the nature of the world by pointing out things and asking for my observations, a valuable lesson that's made my life endlessly delightful. =)

u/Loco_Mosquito · 1 pointr/AskPhysics

If you look on Amazon, there are a lot of inexpensive physics texts put out by Dover - for example, analytical mechanics or E&M. They're so cheap that I usually pick these up to supplement whatever text is recommended for each of my courses.

This poster is also baller as shit.

u/MahatmaGandalf · 1 pointr/AskPhysics

I find that it's easiest not to use any analogies to photons, as conservation of momentum is built into the classical theory. This is discussed concisely here.

Since you mention you studied physics for a while, might you have access to a copy of Griffiths' book on electrodynamics? He gives a fairly detailed discussion of this point in section 8.2. If you don't, Melvin Schwartz's book is a gem that you can get for $10, and he discusses this in section 5-3.