Fields and Electrodynamics: A Computer-Compatible Introduction

By Pieter B. Visscher

The only text on this subject to detail numerical methods usually used in practice to calculate electromagnetic fields, and to integrate these methods with computer simulation. Thoroughly develops the basic mathematical methods which physicists use to describe fields (e.g., density, displacement, and electrical), demonstrating each with examples of applications to mechanical problems. Describe Maxwell's equations governing electric and magnetic fields and shows how these lead to physical phenomena such as electromagnetic waves, charged particle motion, electromagnetic induction, and other processes. Maxwell's equations are introduced in a discrete form--on a lattice--and are discussed in terms of the original definition of the polarization field rather than the more abstract ''dipole moment'' approach. Other topics covered include xerography, EMP, the magnetron oscillator, and boundary-value problems in the presence of superconductors, none of which are included in other texts at this level.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 047182884X
• ISBN13: 9780471828846
• Release Date: October 1988
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 544 Pages
• Weight: 2.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 2.4" x 3.3"

Customer Reviews

wow, was I ever surprised when I cracked open this text...

I must admit that my introduction to this book was a complete (but happy) accident. I grabbed it off the shelf in a university library by mistake. To my surprise, this book contains a very gentle, intuitive, and unique treatment of classical E & M. As a non-physicist and EE-type, I really began to appreciate the pains the author went through to teach this material in an "outside the box" manner. What is so unique about this book? It develops the theory of electromagnetism from a discrete approach. Essentially, space and the fields (and the Div, Grad, Curl operators) therein are developed from a lattice approach (graphs, edges, nodes). I have never seen the material treated this way in a beginning book and I think that it works well for the novice. The traditional continuous field equations are developed from a limiting argument of the discrete. This book is also very user friendly and holds your hand when hand holding is appropriate. In summary, great text especially if you are interested in a simple and intuitive intro to this notoriously hard subject. This book is a great candidate for a dover reprint.