Course detail

Electrodynamics and Special Theory of Relativity

FSI-TDEAcad. year: 2025/2026

The course represents the second part of the basic course of theoretical physics. It is concerned with principles of the electromagnetic field theory and the description using Maxwell's equations. Conservation laws of energy and of quantity of motion are derived, field potentials are introduced and electrostatic, magnetostatic and quasistationary fields are described. A great attention is paid to spreading of electromagnetic waves in diverse environments and also to the behaviour of the field at the interface between two environments. At the end of the course the motion of charged particles in electromagnetic fields, principles of the special theory of relativity and invariance of Maxwell equations under the Lorentz transformation are explained.

Language of instruction

Czech

Number of ECTS credits

6

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Guarantor

prof. RNDr. Petr Dub, CSc.

Department

Institute of Physical Engineering (ÚFI)

Entry knowledge

Knowledge of electromagnetism on the level defined by the textbook HALLIDAY, D. - RESNICK, R. - WALKER, J.: Fundamentals of Physics. J. Wiley and Sons.
MATHEMATICS: Basics of vector analysis.

Rules for evaluation and completion of the course

The exam is combined (written and oral).
Attendance at seminars is required and recorded by the tutor. Missed seminars have to be compensated.

Aims

The course objective is provide students with basic ideas and methods of classical electrodynamics and enable them to be capable of applying these basics to physical systems in order to explain and predict the behaviour of such systems.


The knowledge of principles of classical electrodynamics and ability of applying them to physical systems in order to explain and predict the behaviour of such systems.

Study aids

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Basic literature

B. SEDLÁK, I. ŠTOLL: Elektřina a magnetismus. Karolinum, 2012.
D. J. GRIFFITHS: Introduction to electrodynamics. Addison-Wesley, 2012. (EN)
Feynman R.P., Leigton R.B., Sands M.: Feynmanovy přednášky z fyziky, Fragment, 2001 (CS)
Landau L. D., Lifshic J. M.: The clasical theory of fields. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2000. (EN)

Recommended reading

B. SEDLÁK, I. ŠTOLL: Elektřina a magnetismus. Karolinum, 2012. (CS)
D. J. Griffiths: Introduction to Electrodynamics.Addison-Wesley, 2012. (EN)
E. M. Purcell, D. J. Morin: Electricity and Magnetism. 3rd edition, Cambridge University Press 2013 (EN)
FEYNMAN, R.P.-LEIGHTON, R.B.-SANDS, M.: Feynmanovy přednášky z fyziky, Fragment, 2001 (CS)
Landau L. D., Lifshic J. M.: The clasical theory of fields. Butterworth-Heinemann, 2000.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme B-FIN-P Bachelor's 2 year of study, summer semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

39 hod., optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. RNDr. Petr Dub, CSc.

Syllabus

1. Maxwell equations (in differential and integral forms), continuity equation for charge and current. Vector and scalar potentials
2. Conservation laws: conservation of energy and momentum for electromagnetic fields
3. Electrostatics: Coulombs law, Gauss law, Poisson and Laplace equations, boundary-value problems in electrostatics. Greens function
4. Magnetostatics: Biot-Savart law, Amperes law, boundary-value problems in magnetostatics
5. Quasi-static fields. Skin effect
6. Wave equation. Retarded potentials. Fields and radiation of a oscillating dipoles
7. Wave propagation in vacuum, isotropic dielectrics and conductors
8. Index of refraction and dispersion relation. Propagation of wave packet in dispersive medium
9. Resonant cavities and waveguides
10. Boundary conditions at interface between media. Fresnel formulae
11. The special theory of relativity and Maxwell equations
12. The motion of charges in electric and magnetic fields

Exercise

26 hod., compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

prof. RNDr. Petr Dub, CSc.

Syllabus

http://physics.fme.vutbr.cz/ufi.php?Action=0&Id=977