Which Physics Book on Electricity and Magnetism Explains Concepts in Vectors?

[Miike012]

Can someone recommend a physics book on electricity and magnetism? The book that I just finished reading for my class was

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0971313458/?tag=pfamazon01-20

The book above hardley mentioned vectors and I am looking for a book that explains all the concepts in terms of vectors.

 

[Astrum]

Well, let me give you the most unoriginal recommendations ever (although the best, to my knowledge).

Griffiths - Introduction to Electrodynamics
Purcell - Electricity and Magnetism

Read the reviews in the PF textbook section.

 

[jasonRF]

I notice that your book is for algebra/trig based physics. Have you learned calculus yet?

 

[Miike012]

I notice that your book is for algebra/trig based physics. Have you learned calculus yet?

Sorry I posted the wrong one. There is a calc. version of the book that I posted. I've been through multi var. calc.

So please post calculus based physics books

 

[Miike012]

Well, let me give you the most unoriginal recommendations ever (although the best, to my knowledge).

Griffiths - Introduction to Electrodynamics
Purcell - Electricity and Magnetism

Read the reviews in the PF textbook section.

I am currently reading from Electricity and Magnetism by Purcell. It's much more informative than my school textbook but I'm finding it to easy. I want something more indepth in theory.

 

[yungman]

Sorry I posted the wrong one. There is a calc. version of the book that I posted. I've been through multi var. calc.

So please post calculus based physics books

I just deleted my long post since I saw this one. If you have all these, my suggestion is https://www.amazon.com/Electromagnetics-Engineers-Fawwaz-T-Ulaby/dp/0131497243/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377381806&sr=1-4&keywords=ulaby

This is the simplest and a very good book about electromagnetics. Griffiths is a very good book, but it is for physics major and is quite difficult for self study. Ulaby is an engineering electromagnetic textbook used by San Jose State for their EM class for EE. This is my first book when I self studied EM.

Don't be fool when I said it's the easiest book, there is no easy electromagnetics! It is just not as hard as Griffiths and https://www.amazon.com/Field-Wave-Electromagnetics-David-Cheng/dp/0201128195/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1377382136&sr=1-1&keywords=david+cheng.

 

[Astrum]

I am currently reading from Electricity and Magnetism by Purcell. It's much more informative than my school textbook but I'm finding it to easy. I want something more indepth in theory.

Although I myself have never looked at Purcell in depth, from the information I gather, Purcell is not an easy text. I'm guessing you haven't been through any of the exercises, are you skipping them?!

 

[Miike012]

Although I myself have never looked at Purcell in depth, from the information I gather, Purcell is not an easy text. I'm guessing you haven't been through any of the exercises, are you skipping them?!

Yes I am skipping the exercises. I'm just reading the book to gain a better understanding of the concepts and theory.

To be honest, I don't have the time to devote to both reading the book and doing the problems because I have higher priorities in the classes that I'm enrolled into. I am not actually enrolled into the physics class I'm just trying to gain a better understanding when I have the time.

 

[Astrum]

Yes I am skipping the exercises. I'm just reading the book to gain a better understanding of the concepts and theory.

But... the exercises are there for that reason exactly...

 

[Amrita-Singh]

APurcell is not an easy text.

Purcell is quite easy than Griffiths and so on Griffiths is easier than Jackson.

Suggestion for OP, do Mary L Boas Mathematical Methods books along with Purcell and don't skip any problems if you are skipping. Purcell is Lower Undergrad book while Griffiths is upper undergrad.

 

[Miike012]

Purcell is quite easy than Griffiths and so on Griffiths is easier than Jackson.

Suggestion for OP, do Mary L Boas Mathematical Methods books along with Purcell and don't skip any problems if you are skipping. Purcell is Lower Undergrad book while Griffiths is upper undergrad.

what about the following books...

Field and Wave Electromagnetics (2nd Edition): David K. Cheng: 9780201128192: Amazon.com: Books

Electricity and Magnetism: An Introduction to the Theory of Electric and Magnetic Fields, 2nd edition: Oleg D. Jefimenko: 9780917406089: Amazon.com: Books

Electricity and Magnetism: Munir H. Nayfeh, Morton K. Brussel: 9780471876816: Amazon.com: Books

Classical Electricity and Magnetism: Second Edition (Dover Books on Physics): Wolfgang K. H. Panofsky, Melba Phillips, Physics: 9780486439242: Amazon.com: Books

 

[WannabeNewton]

Purcell is quite easy than Griffiths and so on Griffiths is easier than Jackson.

You're joking right? Griffiths is a joke compared to Purcell. The exercises in Griffiths are trivial in comparison. Clearly Jackson is harder, it's one of the most notorious first year graduate texts out there.

OP, if you aren't doing the exercises, then every physics book that isn't solely a reference book is completely and utterly useless.

 

[Miike012]

You're joking right? Griffiths is a joke compared to Purcell. The exercises in Griffiths are trivial in comparison. Clearly Jackson is harder, it's one of the most notorious first year graduate texts out there.

OP, if you aren't doing the exercises, then every physics book that isn't solely a reference book is completely and utterly useless.

Ok I'll do the problems. The book by jackson is one of the best in your opinion? Where can I find it?

 

[BrettJimison]

Ok I'll do the problems. The book by jackson is one of the best in your opinion? Where can I find it?

I second Astrums Griffiths suggestion. JD Jackson will kick your butt (in a good way). They are referencing Classical Electrodynamics By John David Jackson. You can find it on amazon.

 

[Miike012]

I second Astrums Griffiths suggestion. JD Jackson will kick your butt (in a good way). They are referencing Classical Electrodynamics By John David Jackson. You can find it on amazon.

Is this the correct book?

Classical Electrodynamics Third Edition: John David Jackson: 9780471309321: Amazon.com: Books

 

[WannabeNewton]

Ok I'll do the problems. The book by jackson is one of the best in your opinion? Where can I find it?

Not in my opinion no, I personally dislike the book (it does a lot of mathematics but in a completely non-rigorous way which I personally hate) but if you like it and find it of use then go for it. I personally think Griffiths and/or Purcell would be more useful if you think your current book or books like Halliday and Resnick are too easy for you.

 

[BrettJimison]

Yes it is. Be forewarned (although I can't speak from experience, since I have not worked from it ..yet. But I do own Griffiths) As wannabeNewton says it has a reputation for being very difficult.

 

[Amrita-Singh]

My suggestion was based on my university curriculum. I am in 2 semester Mechanical Engineering and recommended text is Purcell with Mary L Boas mathematical Methods while my seniors of 5th Semester are have recommendation of Griffiths with Courant and Hilber Mathematical Physics. and clearly Jackson is recommended in Graduate Studies.

So I have rated
Purcell < Griffiths < Jackson

 

[yungman]

what about the following books...

Field and Wave Electromagnetics (2nd Edition): David K. Cheng: 9780201128192: Amazon.com: Books

Electricity and Magnetism: An Introduction to the Theory of Electric and Magnetic Fields, 2nd edition: Oleg D. Jefimenko: 9780917406089: Amazon.com: Books

Electricity and Magnetism: Munir H. Nayfeh, Morton K. Brussel: 9780471876816: Amazon.com: Books

Classical Electricity and Magnetism: Second Edition (Dover Books on Physics): Wolfgang K. H. Panofsky, Melba Phillips, Physics: 9780486439242: Amazon.com: Books

I am very confused, your first post want something more than the algebra based physics book, now you talk about JD Jackson?! This is a very difficult book used in graduate program. I think you better tell people where you are at, what year are you in. You completed ODE and PDE yet? Jumping from an algebra based physics to any of the EM books is a huge jump, a very huge jump. Even going to Ulaby is a huge jump already. I studied PDE and Green's function, I still have a hell of a time reading Jackson.

I did suggested Field and Wave by David Cheng. It is a very good book, more difficult than Ulaby. I know a lot of colleges using this book. For undergrad, if you can study and work through the problems of Griffiths and Cheng, you should be very strong in EM. Engineering EM book like Ulaby and Cheng are quite different from physics base book like Griffiths. Engineering EM books put a lot more stress in wave propagation, transmission lines. Griffiths has a lot more in the materials, and explanation of the Maxwell's formulas. Another way to look at it is Griffiths is strong in the first 6 to 7 chapters and lighter on propagation and none in transmission lines and almost none in cavity. That's where Cheng pick up on the last few chapters.

I have Ulaby, Cheng and Griffiths, they are all excellent books, I study all three and work through a lot of the problems. Until you work on the problems, you cannot judge how much you know and understand. I use Ulaby to get my feet wet. Then studied Cheng pretty from cover to cover. I still don't feel quite comfortable. Finally studied Griffiths, I feel more more comfortable in this subject...That is...until I start studying Antenna theory! Now back to more calculus, PDE, Green's function, polarization and all the good stuffs. Now I have no choice to peek into Jackson.

 

[yungman]

Yes it is. Be forewarned (although I can't speak from experience, since I have not worked from it ..yet. But I do own Griffiths) As wannabeNewton says it has a reputation for being very difficult.

Griffiths is quite easy to read, but the problems are something else. I worked through the problems in chapter 10 and 11, that was something. You definitely get very good in vector calculus after that.

BTW, by easy to read, I meant Griffiths explained the basics in very detail, you take the time, you'll understand the topics. The down fall of a lot of engineering EM books is they try to make it simple in the first few chapters and try to jump to the EM wave propagation and transmission lines where they are important for EE. Too short and simplified way to explain at the beginning turn out to be harder to understand and hard to follow. When I pickup Griffiths and read the first few chapters, it's like a light bulb lighted up in my head. That's the reason I always said people need to study Griffiths and one of the EE EM books to get the complete picture.

 

[Miike012]

I am very confused, your first post want something more than the algebra based physics book, now you talk about JD Jackson?! This is a very difficult book used in graduate program. I think you better tell people where you are at, what year are you in. You completed ODE and PDE yet? Jumping from an algebra based physics to any of the EM books is a huge jump, a very huge jump. Even going to Ulaby is a huge jump already. I studied PDE and Green's function, I still have a hell of a time reading Jackson.



.

I've taken ODE, Linear algebra, differential/integral/multi var calculus and calculus based physics.
I added an attachment of the book I am currently reading. I personally don't like the book.

 

[yungman]

I've taken ODE, Linear algebra, differential/integral/multi var calculus and calculus based physics.
I added an attachment of the book I am currently reading. I personally don't like the book.

I can't open the attachment for what ever reason. If you taken ODE and multi variables, you should be ready for the three EM book I was talking about.

Are you enroll in a college or are you studying on your own for the interest? If you study on your own, with the math you have, I think you can jump into Cheng and Griffiths. It will not be a cake walk, but you'll manage. I would strongly recommend you to have both if not more if you self study. I have more than 8 books just on this subject. Not every book explains everything good, they all have strong and weak points. Since I can't open your attachment, this is my best guess.

 

[Miike012]

I can't open the attachment for what ever reason. If you taken ODE and multi variables, you should be ready for the three EM book I was talking about.

Are you enroll in a college or are you studying on your own for the interest? If you study on your own, with the math you have, I think you can jump into Cheng and Griffiths. It will not be a cake walk, but you'll manage. I would strongly recommend you to have both if not more if you self study. I have more than 8 books just on this subject. Not every book explains everything good, they all have strong and weak points. Since I can't open your attachment, this is my best guess.

The book that I added in the attachment is called electricity and magnetism berklely physics course - volume 2 by Edward M. Purcell.

And to be honest through out my two years of college I have successfully passed my classes with all A's on my own. I have never once taken a note in any of my classes other than from two math teachers who I actually respected. But other than that all my classes I have taught my self.
And I have already taken the class on magnetism and electriciy at my school last semester which I passed with self study. This semester I am taking my first semester of circuits and I would like to have a better understanding about electricity and magnetism because I know I will be able to gain a better understanding in my circuits class if I do.

 

[yungman]

The book that I added in the attachment is called electricity and magnetism berklely physics course - volume 2 by Edward M. Purcell.

And to be honest through out my two years of college I have successfully passed my classes with all A's on my own. I have never once taken a note in any of my classes other than from two math teachers who I actually respected. But other than that all my classes I have taught my self.

If you studied this book, you should be ready for Cheng and Griffiths. This seems to be like an introduction to electromagnetics.

 

[Miike012]

If you studied this book, you should be ready for Cheng and Griffiths. This seems to be like an introduction to electromagnetics.

Honestly I haven't truelly studied the book. I've only read a few chapters and I can tell the book is not what I am looking for. I am looking for a book that explains the concepts and theory with mathematical proofs to back the claims they are making.

 

[yungman]

Honestly I haven't truelly studied the book. I've only read a few chapters and I can tell the book is not what I am looking for. I am looking for a book that explains the concepts and theory with mathematical proofs to back the claims they are making.

I don't think you can find prove that easy on Maxwell's equations. It's is a postulation that is proven to be correct. Then they pretty much invented multi-variables to support and put Maxwell's equation into calculus form. That's the reason EM is so hard, yes, you can explain the physical meaning to a certain point, but I yet to find simple explanation in English on this. It's a subject that you read over and over and read many books to see how the author presents the material in different ways. That's the reason I have at least 8 books and studied 4 times over to get the feel. This is not for the weak of hearts! I spent a few years studying 3 books, I can say I get the feel of it. I can only tell you I have been an EE and manager of EE for 30 years with a successful career and I pride myself to be quite good in learning. Maybe I am old and forgetful. It takes me a few years and I am still studying and prepare to study JD Jackson. I have seen so many EE just creep through this class to get the degree.

I scan through a few pages of your book, it is already very easy already. Try reading Griffiths a little on Amazon. That's is as good as it gets for EM books. You are not going to read it like story book! I was a chemistry major, compare this to organic, biochem and even physical chem, those are child's play!

 

[verty]

I'll be a bit different and recommend https://www.amazon.com/dp/0486656608/?tag=pfamazon01-20 with exercises!, or if this is too easy for you, then https://www.amazon.com/dp/0486654931/?tag=pfamazon01-20.

They seem to be exactly what you want.

 

[verty]

They seem to be exactly what you want.

Sorry, I should have stated this less strongly. I think you want a mathematically rigorous book that gives a unified view of the subject and uses the language of vector math throughout. I believe these books do that. So, you know, decide on a book and study it properly with exercises.

 

[vanhees71]

I'd not recommend a book like Schwartz that uses the imaginary-time formalism in relativity to a beginner. For electromagnetism I'd start with the Feynman Lectures Vol. II and then read books like Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics, or (imho even better) Schwinger, Classical Electrodynamics.

 

[yungman]

This is one book about EM that is not very conventional. 'Introductory Electromagnetics" by Zoya Popovic and Branko D Popovic. It concentrates more on explaining than following the standard progression. I have this book also and use it as reference. I won't use it as a main book, it approaches at a somewhat different angle. Too bad you cannot "peek" into the book on Amazon and test drive it. https://www.amazon.com/Introductory-Electromagnetics-Zoya-Popovic/dp/0201326787/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377449862&sr=8-1&keywords=zoya+popovic

Try look around and see whether you get a pdf copy online.

The divergence of the field is very straight forward. I would love to find a book that explain the time varying Maxwell's curl equations in English...and I don't mean explain it in calculus.

Also if you want to, listen to the video lecture series by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGdr9WLto4A&list=PL1CE5B4FFFA997E5D

It is close to a 40 part lectures pretty much from the beginning to the end of the college EM class. Don't laugh at IIT, they a almost as high standard as MIT, it's one of the best best university in the world. Even if you find lectures from MIT, the professor likely to speak with heavy accent! I sat through at least 30 lectures already.

 

[WannabeNewton]

You can certainly derive Maxwell's equations just from the Coloumb force and special relativity, although it isn't a proof because you can't prove laws of physics. This is something Purcell devotes much of his text to. Griffiths is a standard text for 2nd year physics students but if you want mathematical rigor then you won't find any in Griffiths. I second vanhees' recommendation of Schwinger though, that book rocks. Also, there's Franklin: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0805387331/?tag=pfamazon01-20

 

[yungman]

You can certainly derive Maxwell's equations just from the Coloumb force and special relativity, although it isn't a proof because you can't prove laws of physics. This is something Purcell devotes much of his text to. Griffiths is a standard text for 2nd year physics students but if you want mathematical rigor then you won't find any in Griffiths. I second vanhees' recommendation of Schwinger though, that book rocks. Also, there's Franklin: Classical Electromagnetism: Jerrold Franklin: 9780805387339: Amazon.com: Books

I have Jerold Franklin's book, it's quite advanced for OP.

 

[Miike012]

As I'm looking through the contents of the books I can tell that with my knowledge that many of the books will be to advanced. Many of the books posted cover material that I will cover in two or three semester because I am only in my first semester of circuits.
My goal is to improve on the knowledge that I have about Electricity and Magnetism. In my Electricity and Magnetism course we learned about various concepts such as electric fields, electric potential, electric current, magnetism, power, energy, and so on..

These are the subjects that I would like to have a better understanding on. Are there any books out there that cover the basic concepts in an electricity and magnetism course in a more mathematical approach?

 

[WannabeNewton]

AFAIK, Purcell is the best for that because the level of mathematics is no higher than vector calculus so it should be easy as far as mathematics goes but it goes very deeply into how the math fits into EM and special relativity. But you have to do the problems of course.

 

[kinkmode]

Like everyone else mentioned, I'd go for Purcell and Griffiths. Personally, we used Purcell as sophomores and Griffiths as juniors. Seemed to work out ok. While I did go through a most of Jackson on my own in graduate school, if you *really* get E&M at the level of Griffiths, and I mean *really* get it, then you'll know E&M better than most physics BAs and BSs.

Also like everyone else mentioned, you'll need to do the problems.

 

[yungman]

Like everyone else mentioned, I'd go for Purcell and Griffiths. Personally, we used Purcell as sophomores and Griffiths as juniors. Seemed to work out ok. While I did go through a most of Jackson on my own in graduate school, if you *really* get E&M at the level of Griffiths, and I mean *really* get it, then you'll know E&M better than most physics BAs and BSs.

Also like everyone else mentioned, you'll need to do the problems.

+1000. You really have to keep at it and you'll get the feel with time. Griffiths use problems to proof a lot of the equations not cover in the book. So problems is not just to drill you, they are actually a continuation of the textbook. I down loaded the solution manual I( Ha ha!) and I really use it to the fullness to learn.

 

[yungman]

As I'm looking through the contents of the books I can tell that with my knowledge that many of the books will be to advanced. Many of the books posted cover material that I will cover in two or three semester because I am only in my first semester of circuits.
My goal is to improve on the knowledge that I have about Electricity and Magnetism. In my Electricity and Magnetism course we learned about various concepts such as electric fields, electric potential, electric current, magnetism, power, energy, and so on..

These are the subjects that I would like to have a better understanding on. Are there any books out there that cover the basic concepts in an electricity and magnetism course in a more mathematical approach?

You have to be patient to read your book. Work through the problems...then read it again. A chief scientist/program head friend of mine that leaded the laser group in Locheed told me, you don't understand the book until you read it the 15th time! Believe me, I studied from beginning to end 4 times with different books and work out most of the problems. Every time, I felt I gain a lot more insight.

If you think most of the books are too advanced, take a look at Ulaby I mentioned. It is like an introduction to EM preparing you for Cheng. It is a dynamite book for beginners. It's going to be more difficult than your book, but it shave off a lot of advanced stuff and keep it simple( relatively) and clear.

Are you EE instead of physics as you mentioned circuits? If so, use the first few chapters of Griffiths only, don't go to chapter 10 and 11. I am an EE, physics EM and EE EM deviates in wave propagation and retarded fields. Physics don't seems to go into phasor form and stay with retarded fields that is almost useless in EE study. Phasor is the foundation of RF, antenna and transmission lines study. I wasted my time in Griffiths chapter 10 and 11 which are really hard chapters. Phasor embedded the retarded fields and potentials.

You check out the youtube lectures I posted for you? At least it's free, just spend the time listening to it and take notes. That is at the level of Cheng. It's time to let the rubber hit the road instead of talking about it. Remember, read it many times, do the problems.

Lastly, make sure you review Stoke's, curl, line integral etc. You need to really have a good idea the physical interpretation of circulation and divergence. Make sure you understand the last part of the Cal III in-side-out. It is not good enough to get an A, that's the easy part, you really have to learn to "see" it. Then, when you study Maxwell's equations, you'll have the insight of them in action. On the side note, I find calculus book by Thomas & Finley have very good description "in English" for the curl, Green's theorem and divergence.

 

[Miike012]

I am liking what I'm seeing in the book by David J. Griffiths. Does it matter which edition I get?

The book I'm looking at is..

Introduction to Electrodynamics (3rd Edition): David J. Griffiths: 9780138053260: Amazon.com: Books

 

[WannabeNewton]

The 3rd edition is fine. The 4th edition barely changes anything. But keep in mind that if you want mathematical rigor, Griffiths won't provide it. But if your main interest is physics then I guess that isn't really a problem.

 

[yungman]

I am liking what I'm seeing in the book by David J. Griffiths. Does it matter which edition I get?

The book I'm looking at is..

Introduction to Electrodynamics (3rd Edition): David J. Griffiths: 9780138053260: Amazon.com: Books

That's the one I have.

 

[yungman]

The 3rd edition is fine. The 4th edition barely changes anything. But keep in mind that if you want mathematical rigor, Griffiths won't provide it. But if your main interest is physics then I guess that isn't really a problem.

Not to hijack this thread, I want to slowly pursue advanced EM. I am still looking for a book with very heavy math derivation. I have Franklin, Jackson and the Advanced EM by Balanis. Do you have any suggestion on one best for self studying as I am too old to go to school AND it's not easy to find a school offering that...and cheap! Most books jump steps in derivation of equations. I end up spending a lot of time digging around to derive the equations on my own. Then I have to tape the notes onto the books. The books usually getting thicker after I done with it!

Also, I only finished PDE and studied Green's function. What other math I should study before diving into the advanced EM books?

thanks

 

[Miike012]

Lastly, make sure you review Stoke's, curl, line integral etc. You need to really have a good idea the physical interpretation of circulation and divergence. Make sure you understand the last part of the Cal III in-side-out. It is not good enough to get an A, that's the easy part, you really have to learn to "see" it. Then, when you study Maxwell's equations, you'll have the insight of them in action. On the side note, I find calculus book by Thomas & Finley have very good description "in English" for the curl, Green's theorem and divergence.

I have a few pdf's that I am planning on reading. They are

DIV, Grad, Curl, & All That: An Informal Text on Vector Calculus: Harry M. Schey, H. M. Schey: 9780393969979: Amazon.com: Books

A Student's Guide to Maxwell's Equations: Daniel Fleisch: 9780521701471: Amazon.com: Books

Looks like I have a long road ahead because I want to review calc 1,2,and 3 diff equations, linear algebra, and I have a couple of advanced books on trig and algebra.

I just don't see how I'm going to find all this time because I'm going to have to read multiple books on each subject and do the problems plus focus on the classes that I am taking right now.

The reason why I feel the need to review all this material is because I don't like my schools curriculum. It's to easy and I don't feel like I'm learning enough

 

[yungman]

I have a few pdf's that I am planning on reading. They are

DIV, Grad, Curl, & All That: An Informal Text on Vector Calculus: Harry M. Schey, H. M. Schey: 9780393969979: Amazon.com: Books

A Student's Guide to Maxwell's Equations: Daniel Fleisch: 9780521701471: Amazon.com: Books

Looks like I have a long road ahead because I want to review calc 1,2,and 3 diff equations, linear algebra, and I have a couple of advanced books on trig and algebra.

I just don't see how I'm going to find all this time because I'm going to have to read multiple books on each subject and do the problems plus focus on the classes that I am taking right now.

The reason why I feel the need to review all this material is because I don't like my schools curriculum. It's to easy and I don't feel like I'm learning enough

That's the name of the game! Did I mentioned that I reviewed the Cal III 4 or 5 times and I am currently just finished reviewing PDE to review Green's Function! That's the old brain for you! It's like going in one side and leak out the other side!

But I hate cross word puzzle, EM is my cross word puzzle for my retirement!

 

[WannabeNewton]

Do you have any suggestion on one best for self studying as I am too old to go to school AND it's not easy to find a school offering that...and cheap!

Well I don't know about how good it is for purely self-study, but Jackson is certainly heavy in mathematical methods. You could always give it a go and see if you find it effective in the self-study sphere.

Also, I only finished PDE and studied Green's function. What other math I should study before diving into the advanced EM books?

I don't think you need to study anything extra; even Green's functions are usually introduced in the EM texts themselves.

 

[Miike012]

That's the name of the game! Did I mentioned that I reviewed the Cal III 4 or 5 times and I am currently just finished reviewing PDE to review Green's Function! That's the old brain for you! It's like going in one side and leak out the other side!

But I hate cross word puzzle, EM is my cross word puzzle for my retirement!

What I don't understand is how the majority of people who are pursuing an electrical eng degree such as I am don't take learning more seriously. They don't read the material, review previous material, and are satisfied with getting a C in the class. How do people like this get degrees and lead a successful career? I don't understand it.

 

[kinkmode]

I have a few pdf's that I am planning on reading. They are

We used the Div/Grad book for the first week or two of sophomore year in E&M - the same class we did Purcell. From what I recall, it was a nice overview of the necessary vector calc.

 

[kinkmode]

What I don't understand is how the majority of people who are pursuing an electrical eng degree such as I am don't take learning more seriously. They don't read the material, review previous material, and are satisfied with getting a C in the class. How do people like this get degrees and lead a successful career? I don't understand it.

Judging by *some* of the engineers I've seen out there in the 'real world', I'm not surprised.

There are crappy mediocre people in every field. Engineering and physics included.

 

[Astrum]

I have a few pdf's that I am planning on reading. They are

DIV, Grad, Curl, & All That: An Informal Text on Vector Calculus: Harry M. Schey, H. M. Schey: 9780393969979: Amazon.com: Books

A Student's Guide to Maxwell's Equations: Daniel Fleisch: 9780521701471: Amazon.com: Books



The reason why I feel the need to review all this material is because I don't like my schools curriculum. It's to easy and I don't feel like I'm learning enough

That vector calculus book was decent, and a very quick read, you should be able to cover the entire thing (or at least the important parts) in a day or two. If you're already familiar with vector calculus though, I don't think you'd get anything out of it, it's purely focused on application, with almost no rigor.

 

[yungman]

Well I don't know about how good it is for purely self-study, but Jackson is certainly heavy in mathematical methods. You could always give it a go and see if you find it effective in the self-study sphere.


I don't think you need to study anything extra; even Green's functions are usually introduced in the EM texts themselves.

Thanks

 

[yungman]

What I don't understand is how the majority of people who are pursuing an electrical eng degree such as I am don't take learning more seriously. They don't read the material, review previous material, and are satisfied with getting a C in the class. How do people like this get degrees and lead a successful career? I don't understand it.

I was a manager of EE for many years. When I hire engineers, I made up a test no more difficult than what I learn in AA degree in Heald College. You'll be surprised how bad they failed. You talk to a lot of EE, they don't even want to talk about EM class, all they say was they creep through it. There are two ways to study EE. The easy way is to treat is as cook book and blindly use the formula and rely on simulation. The other way is to really go through the math like what we are talking about.

Unless you are in some good colleges, getting A is nothing. In my area, I have San Jose State, Santa Clara and Stanford. It is way too expensive to enroll in Stanford and Santa Clara as cross word puzzle! My big boss...wife is going to kill me for that! I communicated with quite a few professors in SJ state and I bought their books and followed their syllabus. They use Ulaby as EM book for EE and do nothing more than the exercise in the book. I did every single problems they posted...Then I had to study Cheng and Griffiths. their PDE class is so water down I have to use another book by Strauss. They even have to skip a lot of the Bessel and Lagendre function which are the hardest part of the PDE. I interviewed a graduate student from SJ state, it was sad.