Electromagnetic Fields

by Roald K. Wangsness

Book Overview

A straightforward, clearly written text for the two-semester course in electromagnetism taught at the advanced undergraduate level. Revisions include a new chapter on circuits and transmission lines and over 145 examples worked out in detail and 587 problems. Filled with careful and accurate definitions, the book develops needed mathematics beyond calculus through partial differentiation.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471811866
• ISBN13: 9780471811862
• Release Date: January 1991
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 608 Pages
• Weight: 2.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.9" x 10.1"

Customer Reviews

wanna master Jackon?

If you wanna master Jackson's classic bible, this is absolutely a prerequisite!!. Most people love Griffith, but this is more than it. Some people complain about this book which is too mathematical, but math is the language of E & M. Without strict, precise math, you gonna get nothing from E & M. This book, I bet, will solidify your all needed mathematical background to conquer Jackson's Classical Electrodynamics. Specially, the concept on conductor is explained very well with very nice examples in Ch.6 and dielectrics in ch.10 is well treated. Useful and powerful solved examples are available on the right place. The only not well treated topic is a radiation part, but Griffith will compensate for this. Again, I'll strongly recommend this book for anyone who will continue graduate study in physics, whatever he will major.

Excellent practical and accessible reference.

This book is indeed very modular, if you have any previous EM training and the required mathematical skills you won't have any difficulty using this as a practical, working reference. As a consequence of the modularity, there is some repetition of the information but it's a small price to pay for the completeness of the individual modules. One of my favorite features of the writing is the clear references to previous results making it easy to review the references (and completely eliminates any need to search the index). I far prefer this to the usual method to make only vague references to previously developed concepts and is one reason why I find this is a good reference work.Overall, the level is more advanced than Cook though better written. Some of the development of the material is rather novel (e.g., Amperes Law) and considerably more approachable than corresponding works by Smythe (ugh), Peck, or Stratton. I recommend Feynmans lectures in addition to this book. I find the two complement each other quite nicely.

Griffiths this, Griffiths that.

OK, OK... so Griffiths is a very good text. I believe this book is better, having read both. Overall, 'EM Fields' is very well written, providing a strong background in vector calculus to bolster the topics that follow. I agree with the other reviewer who writes that explanations are based on mathematical rather than physical arguments. However, I find this style easier to understand. I do not believe that this formalism detracts from an overall grasp of the material, provided that physical intuition is used as well.

My favorite textbook in undergraduate physics

One-stop shopping for the diligent reader. Begins with a great lesson in vector calculus, then moves through E & M. Doesn't gloss over the mathematical details, and yet is remarkably self-contained. The reader doesn't need a pile of books on the side to figure out the math steps. Every equation has a pointer to its predecessors so that you can trace back to the very beginning if you wish.

Like a 'bridge' between electrodynamics and QM

Mathematical formalism is very good , physical notions are developed logically . Because the notion of causality ( behind the lines ) is conneted to graduate course and mathematical approach is connected to quantum mechanics, one can get powerful tools that makes us serious students. I really have got a lot of intuition about the behavior of Nature!! However, in order to be an advanced student who knows the whole development of Electromagnetism Never lose a second during reading this book ! Read only after studying Vector analysis thoroughly I also recommand the book -> written by J. Maxwell (Dover published)