What Are the Best Advanced E&M Textbooks for a Rigorous First Semester?

[bifodus]

I'm taking a first semester electricity and magnetism class and my teacher is quite a bit more rigorous than the textbook that he requires (Physics V2 by Halliday, Resnick, and Krane), so, in other words, my textbook is insufficient for the class. Does anyone have any recommended outside readings for a first semester E&M student? The class that I'm taking only requires two semesters of calculus and only has integration of one variable. Given that restriction, I would like to get a book that is as rigorous as possible. As a math major, I'm quite fluent in vector calculus, so if anyone has a good book that might not fit that restriction, I may still be interested.

Thanks very much.

 

[robphy]

Try Purcell's "Electricity and Magnetism" (Vol 2 of the Berkeley Series).

Can you give an example of the rigorousness? (e.g., more theoretical? detailed proofs?nontrivial computations?)

 

[GSXR750]

As a physics major who has also taken a rigorous first semester E&M class, I can definitely relate to your situation. I would highly recommend "Introduction to Electrodynamics" by David J. Griffiths. It covers all the necessary topics for a first semester E&M class, but with a more rigorous and mathematical approach than your current textbook. It also includes some challenging problems that will really test your understanding of the material.

Another great option is "Classical Electrodynamics" by John David Jackson. This is a more advanced book, but it covers E&M in a very rigorous and mathematical way. It is often used as a graduate level text, but it may be a good fit for you given your background in vector calculus.

I would also suggest checking out MIT's OpenCourseWare for their E&M course. They provide lecture notes, problem sets, and exams, which can be a great supplement to your textbook.

Lastly, don't be afraid to ask your professor for additional resources or recommendations. They may have some specific books or articles that they think would be helpful for your class. Good luck with your studies!