EM Calculus Struggles? Get Help Here!

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers around the challenges faced by students learning Electricity and Magnetism (E&M) using Ohanian/Markert's "Physics for Scientists and Engineers." Participants recommend alternative resources, emphasizing Halliday and Resnick's "Fundamentals of Physics: Volume 2" as a suitable introductory text. Griffiths' text is noted as more appropriate for advanced learners, while Purcell's book is acknowledged for its rigor but deemed less effective for beginners. Overall, Halliday and Resnick is the preferred choice for foundational understanding in E&M.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic calculus concepts
  • Familiarity with introductory physics principles
  • Knowledge of problem-solving techniques in physics
  • Experience with academic textbooks in physics
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore Halliday and Resnick's "Fundamentals of Physics: Volume 2" for foundational E&M concepts
  • Investigate Griffiths' "Introduction to Electrodynamics" for advanced E&M topics
  • Review Purcell's "Electricity and Magnetism" for a rigorous approach to E&M after gaining foundational knowledge
  • Visit the website http://www4.wittenberg.edu/maxwell/ for additional resources and support
USEFUL FOR

Students struggling with Electricity and Magnetism, educators seeking effective teaching resources, and anyone looking to strengthen their understanding of E&M concepts.

DReicht
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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.
 
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Halliday and Resnick's Fundamentals of Physics: Volume 2 is pretty good as far as introductory texts goes.
 
I'll make the obligatory recommendation for Griffiths.
 
You may want to take a look at Electricity and Magnetism by Purcell.
 
LewisEE said:
I'll make the obligatory recommendation for Griffiths.

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

Landau said:
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.
 
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
 

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