Basic Electrodynamics in 6 Lessons

This book explains why there are different variants of Maxwell's equations and the physical meaning of the quantities they contain. It also shows how the equations for static electric and magnetic potentials are derived from Maxwell's equations. This book explains why there are different variants of Maxwell's equations, and it describes the physical meaning of the quantities they contain. It also shows how the equations for static electric and magnetic potentials are derived from Maxwell's equations. Matter exposed to the fields is an integral part of the discussion. Multipole developments are justified and derived. Furthermore, the potential for simplifications in formulating the dynamical theory as a gauge field theory is explained. The laws of optics are derived from those of electrodynamics. Justifications are provided for quasi-stationary calculations, limits are formulated, and technical examples and counterexamples are shown. Content Classical Electrodynamics in Modern Times – Charge and Current – Maxwell’s Equations – Static Electric Fields – Static Magnetic Fields – Time-Dependent Fields Target Group Engineers, physicists, and graduate students in Physics and Electrical Engineering The author Martin Poppe received his doctorate in Physics from the University of Oxford in 1981. At DESY, he developed the formal foundations of matter generation from colliding virtual photons. The results were published and cited more than eighty times in thirty years. After working at CERN and Bosch, he joined Muenster University of Applied Sciences, where he taught electrical and electronic engineering. He is (co-) author of several textbooks, including "Springer Handbook of Mechanical Engineering". This book explains why there are different variants of Maxwell's equations and the physical meaning of the quantities they contain. It also shows how the equations for static electric and magnetic potentials are derived from Maxwell's equations. Matter exposed to the field is an integral part of the discussion. Multipole developments are justified and derived. Furthermore, the potential for simplification in formulating dynamical theory as gauge field theory is explained. The laws of optics are derived from those of electrodynamics. Justifications are provided for quasi-stationary calculations, limits are formulated, and technical counterexamples are shown.