What do I need before starting to learn electrodynamics?

[Ujjwal Basumatary]

I am a high school sophomore and I want to take part in Physics Olympiads which is exactly why I want to learn electrodynamics. I have ordered 'An Introduction to Electrodynamics' by D.J. Griffiths. I am halfway through MIT OCW mechanics course and I know Calculus equivalent to standard Calculus 2 courses. I am wondering if there are any prerequisites to learn Electrodynamics (at least in Physics). I also have Irodov Electrodynamics and I am not finding the book very hard to comprehend but it does not contain problems. I am truly enjoying this wonderful Physics journey.
Please tell me if I have to learn anything else before taking on the subject and also suggest good online resources. Thanks in advance :)

 

[Scrumhalf]

I am a high school sophomore and I want to take part in Physics Olympiads which is exactly why I want to learn electrodynamics. I have ordered 'An Introduction to Electrodynamics' by D.J. Griffiths. I am halfway through MIT OCW mechanics course and I know Calculus equivalent to standard Calculus 2 courses. I am wondering if there are any prerequisites to learn Electrodynamics (at least in Physics). I also have Irodov Electrodynamics and I am not finding the book very hard to comprehend but it does not contain problems. I am truly enjoying this wonderful Physics journey.
Please tell me if I have to learn anything else before taking on the subject and also suggest good online resources. Thanks in advance :)

Not sure what Calculus 2 is. Is that Vector Calculus? You need vector calculus to study electrodynamics.

 

[barek]

'Div, grad, curl, and all that' introduces vector calculus informally in the context of electrostatics which could be useful if you don't know vector calculus yet.

 

[Scrumhalf]

^ That's a great book. I got it for my son and he really liked it as he was taking his multivariable calculus class. I wish I had that book when I was going through my freshman year!

 

[Ujjwal Basumatary]

Not sure what Calculus 2 is. Is that Vector Calculus? You need vector calculus to study electrodynamics.

Unfortunately no, I haven't learned enough vector calc yet. Will start soon. Can you please name some nice resources? Thank you.

 

[Scrumhalf]

Can you please name some nice resources? Thank you.

Sure. Kreyszig is a decent start. It will do fo what you are trying to do. You can pick one up for less than Rs. 500. Eswar.com has it.

http://www.eswar.com/book.htm?bookcode=0059283

Also, get Div, Grad, Curl and All that..

Not sure if it is available in India - perhaps you could check the library of a local college.

 

[Ujjwal Basumatary]

Thank you everyone :)