Are there any easy-to-understand books to supplement my electromagnetics course?

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    Electromagnetics
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around seeking recommendations for easy-to-understand supplementary books for an electromagnetics course. Participants share their experiences with various texts and express a desire for resources that provide clearer explanations alongside the more technical material they are currently using.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant is looking for books that are easier to read than their current textbook, "Field and Wave Electromagnetics, 2e, David K. Cheng," which they find dense with equations.
  • Another participant suggests checking out a couple of links for potential book recommendations, though they express uncertainty about whether those books will suit the original poster's needs.
  • A participant mentions their intention to share their most-used E&M books, including titles by Hayt and Plonus, although they need to confirm the specifics later.
  • One recommendation is made for "Electricity and Magnetism" from the Berkeley Physics Series by Edward Purcell, highlighting its readability and physical insights, while noting its use of Gaussian units as a potential drawback for engineering students.
  • A participant expresses interest in finding a cheaper copy of the recommended book.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need for supplementary materials that are more accessible than traditional textbooks, but no consensus exists on specific titles or their suitability for the original poster's needs.

Contextual Notes

Some recommendations may depend on individual preferences for learning style, and the discussion does not resolve which books are definitively easier to understand.

Who May Find This Useful

Students enrolled in electromagnetics courses seeking supplementary reading materials that provide clearer explanations of concepts.

ASIC
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Hello everyone, I'm currently enrolled in an electromagnetics course and find the text... decent. I was wondering if anyone knew of any easy-to-read type books I can use to supplement for my course. The book I use is full of equations and stuff, which is fine; I'm just looking for more of a explanation (Kinda like the ...for dummies) books. Thanks.

The book I use now is "Field and Wave Electromagnetics, 2e, David K. Cheng."
 
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Cool handle, ASIC. Welcome to the PF. My E&M books are at work and I'm at home, but I'll try to reply tomorrow with my most-used books. One is Hayt and one is Plonus, I think, but I'll need to check.
 
Thanks guys :-D
 
Electricity and Magnetism, in the Berkeley Physics Series, is a very readable and physical intro book from Nobel prize winner Edward Purcell. One of its strengths is to show how magnetism is the relativistic manifestation of the Coulomb electric force. Only drawback from engineering standpoint is use of Gaussian units, which however put E and B on equal (relativistic) footing. There are lots of inexpensive used copies floating around.
 
Ill keep an eye out for a cheapy copy, thanks.
 

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