The Reading column is a list of pages in the textbook, Griffiths'  Introduction to electrodynamics, fifth edition, which are intended to be read ahead of class. Click in the left column for lecture presentations.   
 
Date Topics Reading
1 26 Aug 2025  Vector and tensor transformations; pseudovector, dyads and tensors. Review of vector identities. Vector derivatives: gradient, divergence, curl. Homework #1 assigned. 1-19
2 28 Aug 2025 Product rules, second derivatives.  The fundamental theorems of calculus for vectors: gradient theorem, Stokes's theorem,  and Gauss's divergence theorem. 20-33
3 2 Sept 2025 Vector derivatives in curvilinear coordinates. Dirac delta function. Helmholtz's theorem; scalar and vector potentials. Homework #2 assigned. 33-53
4 4 Sept 2025 Coulomb's Law, units. E as a vector field. E from continuously distributed charges. Example of calculations of E from Coulomb's Law. 57-69
5 9 Sept 2025 Gauss's Law. Example E calculations comparing the Gauss and Coulomb laws. Homework #3 assigned. 69-76
6 11 Sept 2025 Curl of E (= 0) in electrostatics. Electric (scalar) potential V, E = - grad V , etcCurl of E (= 0) in electrostatics. Electric (scalar) potential V, E = - grad V , etc. Arbitrariness of reference potential. Superposition. Example calculations of potential. Work and energy; relation to F and V; nonsuperposition. . Arbitrariness of reference potential. Superposition. Poisson's and Laplace's equation. Example calculations of potential. 76-81, 88-94
7 16 Sept 2025 Poisson's and Laplace's equations. Boundary conditions; lightning. Example solution of Poisson's equation in 1-D. Conductors as equipotentials. Forces on conductors.  Homework #4 assigned. 81-88, 95-102, 113-118
8 18 Sept 2025 The Lemma: averages, lack of local extrema. Uniqueness of solutions to Poisson and Laplace equations. 118-123
9 23 Sept 2025 Introduction to solution of the Laplace equation by separation of variables. Example in Cartesian coordinates: orthogonality of sines, and Fourier's Trick. Homework #5 assigned. 129-139
10 25 Sept 2025 Solution of Laplace's equation by separation of variables, in spherical coordinates; Legendre polynomials. Example of the pinwheel potential. 139-147
11 30 Sept 2025 Separation-of-variables problems with mixed and complicated boundary conditions; examples. Homework #6 assigned.  Reread 113-147
12 2 Oct 2025 Calculation of V by method of images. Induced charge on conductors; example of point charge and conducting sphere. 124-129
13 7 Oct 2025 Potential and field from an electric dipole. Solution of Laplace's equation by multipole expansions of the potential. Homework #7 assigned. 147-156
14 9 Oct 2025 Summary of analytical, electrostatic E calculation paths; Purcell's Triangle. Return to the Lemma: the relaxation (finite-element) method for numerical solution of the Laplace equation.

Reread 85-88; 115-116, 164-165

16 Oct 2025 Midterm examination, covering all material introduced so far
15 21 Oct 2025 Electric fields in matter: polarizability; induced dipoles; torque on electric dipole in uniform electric field. Polarization vector field P. Bound charge. Electric fields from polarized media. The electric displacement vector field D. Homework #8 assigned. 166-186
16 23 Oct 2025 Dielectrics and electric susceptibility. Some calculations of E and V for linear dielectrics. Forces and energy in dielectrics; capacitor oil-pump example. 186-204
17 28 Oct 2025 Begin magnetostatics: Lorentz Force Law; cyclotron motion; force on a steady current. Current density, continuity equation. Calculation of magnetic field B from the Biot-Savart Law. Homework #9 assigned.  209-229
18 30 Oct 2025 Divergence and curl of B. Derivation, and use, of Ampere's Law.  229-232
19 4 Nov 2025 Example calculations of B via Ampere's Law. The magnetic vector potential A; obtaining B by calculation of A first. Homework #10 assigned.  232-238
20 6 Nov 2025 Boundary conditions in magnetostatics. Summary of calculation paths in magnetostatics, and conparison to electrostatics. Purcell's Other Triangle. 238-251
21 11 Nov 2025 Magnetic multipoles; calculation of magnetic dipole moment from current loop; torque on the loop; comparison between electric and magnetic dipoles. Magnetization vector field M and bound currents; auxiliary magnetic vector field H. Homework #11 asigned. 251-255, 268-286
22 13 Nov 2025 Calculation of B and H in linear media. Magnetic susceptibility and permeability, Ferromagnetism. 286-294
23 18 Nov 2025 Begin electrodynamics. Ohm's Law and its microscopic basis. Conductivity. EMF and magnetic force. Homework #12 assigned. 299-315
24 20 Nov 2025 Induction and Faraday's Law. Magnetoquasistatics. Examples of use of Faraday's Law in field calculations. 316-325
25 25 Nov 2025 Mutual and self inductance. Energy in magnetic fields. Homework #13 assigned. 325-335
26 2 Dec 2025 Displacement current, and the finishing touches to the Maxwell equations.  335-347
27 4 Dec 2025 Mass, momentum, energy, and magnetic flux conservation in plasmas: elements of magnetohydrodynamics. 362-376
14 Dec 2024 Final examination, 7:15-10:15 PM EST  
 
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