MIT OpenCourseWare http://ocw.mit.edu Electromagnetic Field Theory: A Problem Solving Approach For any use or distribution of this textbook, please cite as follows: Markus Zahn, Electromagnetic Field Theory: A Problem Solving Approach. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology: MIT OpenCourseWare). http://ocw.mit.edu (accessed MM DD, YYYY). License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike. For more information about citing these materials or our Terms of Use, visit: http://ocw.mit.edu/terms.Preface VPREFACEElectromagnetic field theory is often the least popularcourse in the electrical engineering curriculum. Heavy reli-ance on vector and integral calculus can obscure physicalphenomena so that the student becomes bogged down in themathematics and loses sight of the applications. This bookinstills problem solving confidence by teaching through theuse of a large number of worked examples. To keep the subjectexciting, many of these problems are based on physical pro-cesses, devices, and models.This text is an introductory treatment on the junior level fora two-semester electrical engineering course starting from theCoulomb-Lorentz force law on a point charge. The theory isextended by the continuous superposition of solutions frompreviously developed simpler problems leading to the generalintegral and differential field laws. Often the same problem issolved by different methods so that the advantages and limita-tions of each approach becomes clear. Sample problems andtheir solutions are presented for each new concept with greatemphasis placed on classical models of such physicalphenomena as polarization, conduction, and magnetization. Alarge variety of related problems that reinforce the textmaterial are included at the end of each chapter for exerciseand homework.It is expected that students have had elementary courses incalculus that allow them to easily differentiate and integratesimple functions. The text tries to keep the mathematicaldevelopment rigorous but simple by typically describingsystems with linear, constant coefficient differential anddifference equations.The text is essentially subdivided into three main subjectareas: (1) charges as the source of the electric field coupled topolarizable and conducting media with negligible magneticfield; (2) currents as the source of the magnetic field coupled tomagnetizable media with electromagnetic induction generat-ing an electric field; and (3) electrodynamics where the electricand magnetic fields are of equal importance resulting in radi-ating waves. Wherever possible, electrodynamic solutions areexamined in various limits to illustrate the appropriateness ofthe previously developed quasi-static circuit theory approxi-mations.Many of my students and graduate teaching assistants havehelped in checking the text and exercise solutions and haveassisted in preparing some of the field plots.Markus
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