What are the best books to master E&M ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter FancyNut
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Books E&m Master
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around finding effective books for mastering Electromagnetism (E&M), with participants expressing dissatisfaction with their current resources. Knight's textbook is being used, but alternatives like Purcell and Griffiths are debated, with concerns about the lack of problem solutions in some texts. The Feynman lectures are noted as not suitable for beginners due to their depth and focus. Recommendations include Serway & Beichner's text for its clarity and problem-solving examples, while Griffiths is critiqued for not adequately preparing students for graduate-level work. Overall, there is a strong desire for accessible, comprehensive resources that include problem sets for effective learning.
FancyNut
Messages
113
Reaction score
0
What are the best books to master E&M !?

I've been looking around for extra material, another other then knight's next which we're using, but i can't settle on what text to buy. They’re so expensive too. :eek:

Here are the links for the two I hear most about.

This one covers way more than my text at the beginning and I have no idea about vector calculus so I doubt it'll help.




This one seems great but it doesn’t have problem solutions. :confused:





Thank you for any help/recommendations. Oh and I'm not sure if this belongs in this forum but it's the closest I guess. :p
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
I have the Feynman 3 volume set, to be honest as a student I am not particularly thrilled with it, expecially the topics on E&M. It doesn't cover as much material as a textbook but goes more indepth into what it does cover. It doesn't have problems like a textbook either and doesn't really go over how to solve or work through problems. Perhaps if I was not just starting out and wanted to just gain a bit more information on stuff I already knew it would be better, but I don't recommend this if you are just starting out and trying to learn the material.
 
I really want to get the Purcell one but the fact that it has no solutions to problems is holding me back.

Man I need something to lean this stuff from. My professor is HORRIBLE. :smile:
 
If you can understand Foundations of Electromagnetism by Reitz, Milford and Christy, then you'll have no problem with undergraduate EM.

Griffiths' book is not really as good as some people claim it to be. It makes for rather poor preparation for graduate electrodynamics.
 
I like Serway & Beichner's text; 5th Edition, publ. in 2000, is what I have. It has very good explanations and problem-solving examples, and of course many exercises.

It seems like there are some pretty amazing buys here:
http://half.ebay.com/cat/buy/prod.c..._idEQ1856AMPmeta_idEQ1&aid=1932276&pid=536211

I know there is a newer edition (that shouldn't matter to you) so maybe that accounts for the low prices listed for the 5th ed. Or, maybe some of them are just listing the wrong book. If you buy it, contact the seller first & make sure the book they are selling is the 5th edition with chapters 1 - 39, 1288 pages plus the appendices.
 
Thanks for the replies. I got the griffith book. My wallet is crying. :bugeye:
 
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
View full post »

Similar threads

Alternatives to Mastering Physics in teaching E&M and Optics
Replies
1
Views
3K
Conductor in a capacitor problen (E&M)
Replies
7
Views
3K
A Puzzled about Section 3.12 of Jackson's E&M book
Replies
18
Views
2K
Calculus What Is the Best Calculus Book for Self-Learners?
Replies
17
Views
6K
Other Can I (with a math major) do a masters in theoretical physics?
Replies
16
Views
2K
Classical Best books to study Oscillations and Waves
Replies
7
Views
4K
Will using Griffith and Purcell benefit a beginner in E&M?
Replies
4
Views
6K
Intro Physics Several Physics Books to Choose From (Wolfson, Knight, Feynman)
Replies
4
Views
2K
Classical Is Purcell's E&M Book Recommended for Studying Physics with Calc 3?
Replies
6
Views
4K
Calculus What are the top recommended books for mastering Calculus?
Replies
11
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top