# PHY1510H S (ARTS & SCI 450) Relativistic Electrodynamics

## Official description

The course illustrates, using classical electromagnetism, how symmetry principles and scaling arguments combine to determine the basic laws of physics. It is shown that the electromagnetic action (from which follow the equations of motion) is uniquely fixed by the principles of special relativity, gauge invariance, and locality. Additional topics include motion of relativistic particles in external electric and magnetic fields, radiation from point charges, and the breakdown of classical electromagnetism.

Prerequisite
PHY350H1
Textbook
                            Required:
(A) The Classical Theory of Fields by Landau and Lifshitz and
(B) Introduction to Electrodynamics, 4th ed by D. Griffiths

BR=TBA
Distribution requirement
DR=SCI

An introduction to relativistic electrodynamics.  Topics include:  special relativity, four-vectors and tensors, relativistic dynamics from the Principle of Stationary Action and Maxwell's equations in Lorentz covariant form.  Noether's theorem for fields and the energy-momentum tensor.  Fields of moving charges and electromagnetic radiation:  retarded potential, Lienard-Wiechert potentials, multipole expansion, radiation reaction.

course title
PHY1510H S (ARTS & SCI 450)
session
winter
group
cross listed course
time and location
This cross listed course is offered at together with PHY450H1. For course schedule please see: PHY450H1
instructor

#### Delivery Methods

In Person

A course is considered In Person if it requires attendance at a specific location and time for some or all course activities.*.

* Subject to adjustments imposed by public health requirements for physical distancing.

Online - Synchronous
A course is considered Online Synchronous if online attendance is expected at a specific time for some or all course activities, and attendance at a specific location is not expected for any activities or exams.
Asynchronous
A course is considered Asynchronous if it has no requirement for attendance at a specific time or location for any activities or exams.