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Modern Electrodynamics by Andrew Zangwill
An engaging writing style and a strong focus on the physics make this comprehensive, graduate level textbook unique among existing classical electromagnetism textbooks. Charged particles in vacuum and the electrodynamics of continuous media are given equal attention in discussions of electrostatics, magnetostatics, quasistatics, conservation laws, wave propagation, radiation, scattering, special relativity, and field theory. Extensive use of qualitative arguments similar to those used by working physicists makes Modern Electrodynamics a must have for every student of this subject. In 24 chapters, the textbook covers many more topics than can be presented in a typical two semester course, making it easy for instructors to tailor courses to their specific needs. Close to 120 worked examples and 80 applications boxes help the reader build physical intuition and develop technical skill. Nearly 600 end of chapter homework problems encourage students to engage actively with the material. A solutions manual is available for instructors at www.cambridge.org/Zangwill.
Hardcover
First published December 24, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 5, 2018
Truly modern in its treatment, this textbook is what every grad student and advanced undergrad needs.
It contains a lot of modern topics that cannot be found easily in other textbooks. A very nice example of this is that of magnetic helicity, which is a central concept in modern topological field theories.
The writing is also very pedagogical. This can be seen from the section of the covariant formulation of electrodynamics where the author clearly explains what each term in the Lagrangian represents.
In comparison with Jackson's famous textbook on EM, this is much better written and, expectedly, much more up-to-date.
This will surely be my first choice of an EM textbook, but I must say that it must be supplementwed by Jackson, as there are some sections in Zangwill's textbook that aren't as high level as the corresponding sections in Jackson's textbook.
A must-have for any serious graduate student and ambitious undergraduate student.
It contains a lot of modern topics that cannot be found easily in other textbooks. A very nice example of this is that of magnetic helicity, which is a central concept in modern topological field theories.
The writing is also very pedagogical. This can be seen from the section of the covariant formulation of electrodynamics where the author clearly explains what each term in the Lagrangian represents.
In comparison with Jackson's famous textbook on EM, this is much better written and, expectedly, much more up-to-date.
This will surely be my first choice of an EM textbook, but I must say that it must be supplementwed by Jackson, as there are some sections in Zangwill's textbook that aren't as high level as the corresponding sections in Jackson's textbook.
A must-have for any serious graduate student and ambitious undergraduate student.
July 7, 2024
Modern Electrodynamics by Andrew Zangwill. The first time I saw this textbook in my university library, I was struck by its size. Personally, I prefer textbooks with over 1000 pages that explain concepts step by step rather than shorter ones that leave key details as exercises for the reader.
If you're having a hard time with Jackson's Classical Electrodynamics, Andrew Zangwill's Modern Electrodynamics is a good option. Be aware that it's more friendly to read than Jackson but it is still difficult due to the nature of the subject. You have to prepare yourself, perhaps Griffiths Introduction to Electrodynamics should be your prerequisite. If you need a firmer grasp on physics, the E&M chapters in Halliday's Fundamentals of Physics are a good starting point.
If you're having a hard time with Jackson's Classical Electrodynamics, Andrew Zangwill's Modern Electrodynamics is a good option. Be aware that it's more friendly to read than Jackson but it is still difficult due to the nature of the subject. You have to prepare yourself, perhaps Griffiths Introduction to Electrodynamics should be your prerequisite. If you need a firmer grasp on physics, the E&M chapters in Halliday's Fundamentals of Physics are a good starting point.
November 30, 2013
An excellent book.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews