F4090 Electrodynamics and theory of relativity

Faculty of Science
Spring 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/2/0. 3 credit(s) (fasci plus compl plus > 4). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
doc. Franz Hinterleitner, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Franz Hinterleitner, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Giacomo Pollari, M.Sc. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
doc. Franz Hinterleitner, Ph.D.
Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Contact Person: doc. Franz Hinterleitner, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of Theoretical Physics and Astrophysics – Physics Section – Faculty of Science
Prerequisites (in Czech)
( F1030 Mechanics && F2050 Electricity and magnetism )||( F1040 Mechanics and molecular physic && F2070 Electricity and magnetism )
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
Basic course of classical electrodynamics and special theory of relativity.
Learning outcomes
At the end of this course, students should be able (a) to understand the logical structure of the classical theory of the electromagnetic field including its relation to the special theory of relativity, (b) solve standard problems involving the Maxwell equations (calculations of electric fields in electrostatics, magnetic fields in magnetostatics, propagation of electromagnetic waves, radiation of an oscillating source etc.), (c) understand the fundamentals of the special theory of relativity and solve simple problems from the field.
Syllabus
  • 1. Introduction: Context and Outline of the Course. 2. Electrostatics: Basic Notions, Laws, Equations; Electric Fields of Selected Simple Arrangments of Charges; Methods for Solving Electrostatical Problems; Elecrostatics of Dielectric Materials. 3. Magnetostatics: Basic Notions, Laws and Equations; Magnetic Fields of Selected Simple Arrangments of Currents; Magnetostatics of Magnetic Materials. 4. Maxwell Equations (ME): Faraday's Law of Induction and ME for Quasistatic Fields; General Form of ME; Electromagnetic Potentials of Time-Dependent Fields and General solution of ME; Electrodynamics of Materials. 5. Electromagnetic Waves and Radiation: Electromagnetic Waves in Bounded and Unbounded Geometries(Plane Waves, Resonant Cavities, Waveguides); Fields and Radiation of a Moving point charge and of a Localized Oscillating Source. 6. Special Theory of Relativity (STR): Principles, Lorentz Transformation and Some Consequences, Relations between Energy, Momentum, and Mass of a Particle; Minkowski Space; Transformation Properties of the Electromagnetic Field and Covariance of ME.
Literature
  • JACKSON, John David. Classical electrodynamics. 2nd ed. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1975, xxii, 848. ISBN 047143132X. info
  • LANDAU, Lev Davidovič and Jevgenij Michajlovič LIFŠIC. The classical theory of fields. Translated by Morton Hamermesh. 4th rev. Engl. ed. Oxford: Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann, 1975, xiii, 428. ISBN 0-7506-2768-9. info
  • FEYNMAN, Richard Phillips, Robert B. LEIGHTON and Matthew L. SANDS. Feynmanovy přednášky z fyziky s řešenými příklady. 1. vyd. Havlíčkův Brod: Fragment, 2001, 806 s. ISBN 8072004204. info
  • HALLIDAY, David, Robert RESNICK and Jearl WALKER. Fyzika, část 3, Elektřina a magnetismus (Physics). 1st ed. Brno, Praha: Vutium, Prometheus, 2001. ISBN 80-214-1868-0. info
Teaching methods
lectures
Assessment methods
Lectures and class exercises, where solutions of typical problems are presented and discussed. The examination consists of a written part (test and solution of problems) and an oral part. Active presence at the class exercises, including solution of a certain amount of problems by the students, is required.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2008 - for the purpose of the accreditation, Spring 2011 - only for the accreditation, Spring 2000, Spring 2001, Spring 2002, Spring 2003, Spring 2004, Spring 2005, Spring 2006, Spring 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, spring 2012 - acreditation, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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