Having Trouble with EM

[DReicht]

I'm having a lot of trouble with basic EM (calculus based) because for some reason, the material simply isn't clicking with me. We're using Ohanian/Markert's Physics for Scientists and Engineers and I'm finding it to be very lacking. I'm wondering if anyone has any better alternative suggestions for resources, technical ones that is.

Thanks a ton.

[Feldoh]

Halliday and Resnick's Fundamentals of Physics: Volume 2 is pretty good as far as introductory texts goes.

[LewisEE]

I'll make the obligatory recommendation for Griffiths.

[Landau]

You may want to take a look at Electricity and Magnetism by Purcell.

[Nabeshin]

I'll make the obligatory recommendation for Griffiths.

For introductory E&M? I think not...

You may want to take a look at Electricity and Magnetism by Purcell.

Maybe, although this text (especially the problems) are at a pretty advanced mathematical level. It's quite a rigorous introduction to E&M, which is probably not what the OP wants...

So, I second Halliday and Resnick.

[physicsnoob93]

Physics - Halliday Resnick Krane is good. This one: http://www.amazon.com/Physics-2-David-Halliday/dp/0471401943. Purcell isn't bad either.

[jasonRF]

I will be yet another person to recommend Halliday and Resnick. I have the 3rd edition which I think is quite good (not familiar with other editions) - I would guess used copies can be found for very little money.

I agree with Nabeshin 100%. Griffiths is really for an upper division EM course - a second course in EM. Purcell is great once you know EM, but is terrible to learn from if it is your first time seeing this material. When I first learned EM it was from Purcell and it was much more painful than is required to get a good grasp of EM. He leaves out a lot of intermediate results that both Griffiths and Halliday and Resnick derive for the reader; Purcell assumes you will derive these yourself in the course of solving the problems. I started liking Purcell after intermediate EM, and loved it after graduate EM.

Good luck!

jason

[CFDFEAGURU]

This is a good book and website that might help you.

http://www4.wittenberg.edu/maxwell/

Thanks
Matt