Course content
This course, together with PH 422: Static Vector Fields, will cover the basics of the theory of electrostatics and magnetostatics: electric and magnetic fields, discrete and continuous sources and the superposition principle, work and energy. At the same time it will review mathematical techniques such as power series expansion and integration in curvilinear coordinates which are critical to the study of electrostatics. The emphasis will be on:
- Applying symmetry principles to idealized charge distributions
- Using superposition to find the electrostatic potential and electric field of discrete and continuous charge distributions
- Using power series expansions to find approximations valid near and far from the origin
Credits
PH 320: Paradigms in Physics: Symmetries and Idealizations meets 7 hours per week for three weeks and has 6 homework assignments for a total of 2 credits.
Prerequisite and Corequisite
Physics 213 an unofficial prerequisite, and Math 255 is expected to be taken concurrently.
Measurable student learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students are expected
- to master the use of power series approximations in the understanding of limiting cases
- to be able to use superposition to find the electrostatic potential and electric field of both discrete and continuous charge distributions
- to understand how symmetry simplifies problems and be able to take advantage of symmetry present in a charge distribution
- to be comfortable applying the techniques of vector calculus in cylindrical and spherical coordinates, as well as rectangular coordinates.
Evaluation of student performance
- 50% required homework
- 10% in-class quizzes
- 40% final exam
- Practice problems provide simple examples for you to check whether or not you understand the material as you go along. They will not be graded. Sometimes solutions will be posted. At a minimum, you should read each practice problem and make sure that you know how to do it. If you can't, ask for help!
- Required problems will be graded. Solutions will be posted online. Assignments turned in after solutions are posted can earn at most 50% of the total points. Very late assignments will earn less. It is a good idea to turn in what you have done by the due date, and, if necessary, the rest later. Please consult me for special circumstances.
- Quick quizzes will be given at the beginning of each class period. The quiz questions (or very similar questions) will be provided in advance. Please consult me in advance if there are special circumstances that prevent you from attending class.
Learning resources
- Course page: http://physics.oregonstate.edu/~roundyd/COURSES/ph320
- Text:
- (GVC) Dray and Manogue, The Geometry of Vector Calculus
- (GEM) Griffiths, Introduction to Electrodynamics 4rd ed., Pearson Education, 2012. ISBN 978-0321856562.
- (MM) Boas, Mathematical Methods in the Physical Sciences, 3rd ed., Wiley and Sons, 2006. ISBN 9780471365808.
A complete list of required and optional texts for the the entire year of Paradigms courses can be found on the Paradigms website. For this course, you will need Griffiths (GEM) and Boas (MM). We will also be using The Geometry of Vector Calculus by Dray and Manogue, which is available online, with links available on the course webpage.
Statement regarding students with disabilities
Accommodations are collaborative efforts between students, faculty and Disability Access Services (DAS). Students with accommodations approved through DAS are responsible for contacting the faculty member in charge of the course prior to or during the first week of the term to discuss accommodations. Students who believe they are eligible for accommodations but who have not yet obtained approval through DAS should contact DAS immediately at 737-4098.
Expectations for student conduct
Students are expected to comply with the university policies on student conduct.