Electromagnetic Fields and Waves

by Vladimir Rojansky

Book Overview

Intended for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, this well-known and popular textbook provides an introduction to the physical principles, mathematical apparatus, and typical applications of classical electromagnetic theory. Beginning with the notion of scalar fields, Professor Rojansky leads the student through vectors and vector fields, the laws of Ohm, Joule, Coulomb, and Faraday, static electricity, and continues all the way to Maxwell's...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486638340
• ISBN13: 9780486638348
• Release Date: January 1979
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 464 Pages
• Weight: 1.12 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.6" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Not for beginners

I liked this book very much -- it starts with basic concepts such as scalar fields, and slowly builds upon mathematical and physical concepts to eventually arrive at Maxwell's equations. The book develops rather than assume the advanced principles needed for understanding of electromagnetism at an advanced level. Having said that, it would be very difficult for someone who hasn't had college level calculus and who doesn't have a reasonable level of mathematical maturity to get much from this book. This book is inappropriate for someone who wants a basic explanation of how a radio works. This book is appropriate for someone who has a solid understanding of electricity, magnetism, and intermediate mathematics, and who wants to go to the next level of understanding.

Exceptional clarity

The author is exceptionally clear and careful in his definitions. These definitions always -- always -- tie back to how to measure a quantity. I like this very much. The pace is a bit slower than most books. This is a great book for self study. Suitable for 2nd or 3rd year physics, or a refresher.

This was the book on electromagnetics I'd been looking for.

I am a amateur radio operator and have degrees in mathematics. I was looking for a book that would show the derivation of the equations but also give a good feel for what they mean. Although the "proofs" in this book do not go down to as fine a detail as possible, I found it has just the right depth to keep focused on the meaning of the equations. After grinding through the text and working all the exercises I am now in a position to usefully read deeper works. I was particularly happy that the book derives the equations for the field due to a short dipole (three different ways!) and also gives the basics of waveguides. These are very important to those interested in radio communications. I can now see why Rojansky was a legend where he taught.

Excellent explanation of Maxwell's eqns

Thoroughly enjoyable, patiently explaining most of the mathematical concepts. This is the clearest and most accessible exposition of Maxwell's eqns I have seen.

A great book , advanced undergraduate to graduate level.

Professor Rojansky does a great job explaining clearly with numerous illustrated examples starting with mathematical notes and ending with a brief summary in several appendix. In the body of the text his examples and demonstrations are clear and illustrated. He chooses to use both mks and cgs units for historical and practical reasons. Development of a topic is as the cover describes "explicit and unhurried". This book is a nice text or a good supplement. Not a collection of solved problems but a good teaching text. Other books that I like include: "Classical Electrodynamics by Jackson", so the "age" of this book is of no concern to me. At the price offered for "Rojansky" how can you go wrong!