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. All lectures and exams take place in 109 B&L.
 
Date Topics Reading
1 1 Sept 2026 Vector and tensor transformations; pseudovector, dyads and tensors. Review of vector identities. Vector derivatives: gradient, divergence, curl. Homework #1 assigned. 1-19
2 3 Sept 2026 Product rules, second derivatives. The fundamental theorems of calculus for vectors: gradient theorem, Stokes's theorem, and Gauss's divergence theorem. 20-33
3 8 Sept 2026 Vector derivatives in curvilinear coordinates. Dirac delta function. Helmholtz's theorem; scalar and vector potentials. Homework #2 assigned. 33-53
4 10 Sept 2026 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 15 Sept 2026 Gauss's Law. Example E calculations comparing the Gauss and Coulomb laws. Homework #3 assigned. 69-76
6 17 Sept 2026 Curl of E (= 0) in electrostatics. Electric (scalar) potential V, E = - grad V , etc. Curl of E (= 0) in electrostatics. Arbitrariness of reference potential. Superposition. Example calculations of potential. Work and energy; relation to F and V; nonsuperposition. Arbitrariness of reference potential. 76-81, 88-94
7 22 Sept 2026 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 24 Sept 2026 The Lemma: averages, lack of local extrema. Uniqueness of solutions to Poisson and Laplace equations. 118-123
9 29 Sept 2026 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 1 Oct 2026 Solution of Laplace's equation by separation of variables, in spherical coordinates; Legendre polynomials. Example of the pinwheel potential. 139-147
11 6 Oct 2026 More separation-of-variables problems, including mixed and complicated boundary conditions. Homework #6 assigned. Reread 113-147
12 8 Oct 2026 Potential and field from an electric dipole. Solution of Laplace's equation by multipole expansions of the potential. 147-156
13 15 Oct 2026 Calculation of V by method of images. Induced charge on conductors; example of point charge and conducting sphere. Summary of analytical, electrostatic E and V calculation paths; Purcell's Triangle. Homework #7 assigned. 124-129
20 Oct 2026 Midterm examination, 8:00 AM - 9:15 AM, covering all material introduced so far.
14 20 Oct 2026 Return to the Lemma: the relaxation (finite-element) method for numerical solution of the Laplace equation. Remaining details of multipole moments: origin of coordinates, force, torque.

Reread 85-88; 115-116, 153-156
15 22 Oct 2026 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. Dielectrics and electric susceptibility. Homework #8 assigned. 166-186
16 27 Oct 2026 Calculations of E and V for linear dielectrics. Forces and energy in dielectrics; energy density of fields in dielectric media; forces on dielectrics in capacitors. 186-208
17 29 Oct 2026 Begin magnetostatics: Lorentz Force Law; force on a steady current. Current density, continuity equation. The Biot-Savart Law. 209-223
18 3 Nov 2026 Example calculation of magnetic field B from the Biot-Savart Law. Curl of B; derivation, and use, of Ampere's Law. Homework #9 assigned. 223-232
19 5 Nov 2026 Divergence of B; derivation of Gauss's Law of Magnetism. Magnetic monopoles. Proof of the Helmholtz field theorem. The magnetic potential A; the Coulomb gauge. 232-245, 585-587.
20 10 Nov 2026 Summary of calculation methods and boundary conditions for magnetostatics. Example calculations of B via Ampere's Law and via A. Homework #10 assigned. 245-251.
21 12 Nov 2026 Magnetic multipoles; torque on dipoles; Magnetization vector field M and bound currents; auxiliary magnetic vector field H. Calculation of B and H in linear media. Magnetic susceptibility and permeability, ferromagnetism. 251-297
22 17 Nov 2026 Begin electrodynamics. Ohm's Law and its microscopic basis. Conductivity. Homework #11 assigned. 298-304
23 19 Nov 2026 Motional EMF and magnetic force. 304-315
24 24 Nov 2026 Induction and Faraday's Law. Magnetoquasistatics. Examples of use of Faraday's Law in induced E calculations. 316-325
25 1 Dec 2026 Induced E and A. Mutual and self inductance. Use of inductance to calculate fields. Homework #12 assigned 325-330
26 3 Dec 2026 Energy in magnetic fields. Displacement current, and the finishing touches to the Maxwell equations. 331-345
27 8 Dec 2026 Poynting's theorem and energy conservation. Force and momentum in electrodynamics. The Maxwell stress tensor. Use of the stress tensor to calculate forces. Homework #13 assigned. Reread Lecture 1; 361-372
28 10 Dec 2026 Ohm's Law revisited. Magnetic flux conservation in very-high-conductivity media; Alfven's theorem. Mass, momentum, and energy conservation in magnetohydrodynamics. Reread 298-304, 372-376
20 Dec 2026 Final examination, 7:15-10:15 PM.  
 
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