Classical Theory of Electricity and Magnetism: A Course of Lectures (Revised Edition)
Contents: Preface. Foreword to the Revised Edition. 1. Empirical Basis of Electrostatics. 2. Direct Calculation of Field in Some Cases. 3. Gauss’ Theorem, Laplace and Poisson Equations. 4. Analysis of the Electrostatic Field: Multipole Moments. 5. Dielectrics and the Uniqueness Theorem. 6. Solution of the Laplace Equation. 7. Field Energy and Forces in Electrostatics. 8. Stationary currents and magnetic fields. 9. Electromagnetic induction and energy of the magnetic field. 10. Maxwell’s Equations, Electromagnetic Energy and Momentum. 11. Reflection and Refraction of Electromagnetic Waves. 12. Wave Guides and Cavity Resonators. 13. Electromagnetic Waves in Anisotropic Media. 14. Solution of Maxwell Equations: Retarded and Advanced potentials. 15. Analysis of the Radiation Field. 16. Field due to a Moving Charged Particle. 17. Field of a Particle in Non-Uniform Motion. 18. Electrons in Material Media. 19. Motion of Charged Particles in Electromagnetic Fields. 20. Magnetohydrodynamics—conducting fluids and magnetic fields. 21. Two Component Plasma Oscillations. 22. The Theory of the Electron. 23. Special Theory of Relativity and Electromagnetism. 24. Variational Principle Formulation of Maxwell’s Equations and Lagrangian Dynamics of Charged Particles in Electromagnetic Fields. Index.
Amal Kumar Raychaudhuri -- of the eponymous Raychaudhuri equations of the General Theory of Relativity -- taught physics at Presidency College, Calcutta from 1961 to 1986. His lectures on electromagnetism, first published in 1990, have long been recognised as comprehensive and masterful expositions of the classical theory of electricity and magnetism.
This textbook is meant primarily for post-graduate students of physics, although undergraduates will also find the treatment of the subject appealing. In addition to the usual topics, AKR discusses magnetohydrodynamics and plasma oscillations in two short chapters.
The treatment of the Special Theory of Relativity clearly emphasises the Lorentz covariance of Maxwell's equations. The rather abstruse topic of radiation reaction is covered at an elementary level and the Wheeler-Feynman absorber theory has been dwelt upon briefly.
In this revised edition the units and notation have been modernised to conform to contemporary standards. In other aspects the text is largely unchanged. Today's readers can experience the clarity and lucidity, not to mention the characteristic idiosyncrasies, of AKR's lectures. The original problems have also been retained.
