We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.

Electrodynamics

Save

Electrodynamics is the study of how electric charges interact with each other and with magnetic fields. It is considered a branch of classical physics and is distinct from quantum electrodynamics, which studies how light and matter interact at the quantum level.

Applications of Electrodynamics

Electrodynamics has a wide range of applications in everyday life, including:

  • Electrical power generation and distribution: Electrodynamics is used to design and operate power plants, transmission lines, and distribution systems.
  • Electric motors and generators: Electrodynamics is used to design and build electric motors, which convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, and generators, which convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.
  • Electronics: Electrodynamics is used to design and build electronic devices, such as transistors, diodes, and capacitors.
  • Telecommunications: Electrodynamics is used to design and operate communication systems, such as radio, television, and the Internet.
  • Medical imaging: Electrodynamics is used to design and operate medical imaging devices, such as MRI and CT scanners.

Electrodynamics is a fundamental branch of physics that has a wide range of applications in everyday life. By understanding the principles of electrodynamics, you can gain a better understanding of the world around you.

Careers in Electrodynamics

There are many different careers that involve electrodynamics. Some of the most common careers include:

  • Electrical engineer: Electrical engineers design and build electrical systems, such as power plants, transmission lines, and distribution systems.
  • Electronics engineer: Electronics engineers design and build electronic devices, such as transistors, diodes, and capacitors.
  • Telecommunications engineer: Telecommunications engineers design and operate communication systems, such as radio, television, and the Internet.
  • Medical physicist: Medical physicists use electrodynamics to design and operate medical imaging devices, such as MRI and CT scanners.
  • Research scientist: Research scientists conduct research in electrodynamics and other areas of physics.

If you are interested in a career in electrodynamics, there are many different educational paths you can take. You can earn a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, electronics engineering, telecommunications engineering, or physics. You can also earn a master's degree or doctorate in electrodynamics.

Online Courses in Electrodynamics

There are many different online courses that can help you learn about electrodynamics. These courses can be a great way to learn about the basics of electrodynamics or to supplement your existing knowledge. Some of the most popular online courses in electrodynamics include:

  • Electrodynamics: Analysis of Electric Fields: This course from Coursera covers the basics of electrodynamics, including electric fields, Gauss's law, and Faraday's law.
  • La fisica: dall'elettromagnetismo all'ottica: This course from edX covers the basics of electrodynamics, as well as optics.
  • Electrodynamics: In-depth Solutions for Maxwell's Equations: This course from Udemy covers the more advanced topics of electrodynamics, including Maxwell's equations.

These are just a few of the many online courses that can help you learn about electrodynamics. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced professional, there is an online course that can meet your needs.

Benefits of Learning Electrodynamics

There are many benefits to learning about electrodynamics. Some of the benefits include:

  • Increased understanding of the world around you: Electrodynamics is a fundamental branch of physics that governs the behavior of electric charges and magnetic fields. By understanding the principles of electrodynamics, you can gain a better understanding of the world around you.
  • Improved problem-solving skills: Electrodynamics problems can be challenging, but they can also be very rewarding to solve. By working through electrodynamics problems, you can improve your problem-solving skills.
  • Enhanced critical thinking skills: Electrodynamics requires you to think critically about the behavior of electric charges and magnetic fields. By developing your critical thinking skills, you can become a more effective problem solver.
  • Preparation for a career in engineering or physics: Electrodynamics is a fundamental subject for many careers in engineering and physics. By learning about electrodynamics, you can prepare yourself for a successful career in these fields.

If you are interested in learning about electrodynamics, there are many different resources available to help you. You can take an online course, read a book, or attend a lecture. No matter how you choose to learn, electrodynamics is a fascinating and rewarding subject.

Path to Electrodynamics

Take the first step.
We've curated seven courses to help you on your path to Electrodynamics. Use these to develop your skills, build background knowledge, and put what you learn to practice.
Sorted from most relevant to least relevant:

Share

Help others find this page about Electrodynamics: by sharing it with your friends and followers:

Reading list

We've selected 27 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Electrodynamics.
This comprehensive textbook provides a detailed overview of classical electrodynamics, covering a wide range of topics from basic concepts to advanced applications. It is an excellent resource for students and researchers in physics and engineering.
This classic textbook provides a comprehensive and rigorous treatment of electricity and magnetism, making it an essential resource for students and researchers in physics and engineering. It covers a wide range of topics, including electrostatics, magnetostatics, and electromagnetic waves.
Affectionately known as 'Jackson,' this is the standard graduate-level textbook in electrodynamics. It provides a comprehensive and rigorous treatment of the subject, essential for deepening understanding at the graduate level and for professionals. It must-read for those pursuing advanced study in physics.
This is widely considered the standard undergraduate textbook for electrodynamics. It provides a clear and accessible introduction to the fundamentals, making it excellent for gaining a broad understanding and solidifying concepts at the undergraduate level. It is commonly used in academic institutions.
This textbook provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to electrodynamics and radiation, making it an excellent resource for undergraduate students. It covers a wide range of topics, including Gauss's law, Faraday's law, and Maxwell's equations.
This classic textbook provides a clear and engaging introduction to electromagnetism, making it an accessible resource for undergraduate students. It covers a wide range of topics, including Gauss's law, Faraday's law, and Maxwell's equations.
This textbook provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to electromagnetism, making it an excellent resource for undergraduate students. It covers a wide range of topics, including Gauss's law, Faraday's law, and Maxwell's equations.
This classic textbook, updated by David Morin, offers a deeply intuitive and insightful approach to electricity and magnetism, including a treatment of magnetism from a relativistic perspective. It's highly valuable for undergraduates to build a strong conceptual foundation and is known for its excellent problems. It serves as a great book for solidifying understanding.
Collection of two classic works by Julian Schwinger on classical and quantum electrodynamics. It is an excellent resource for both undergraduate and graduate students in physics.
This graduate-level text offers a modern perspective on electrodynamics, covering a wide range of topics with an engaging style and strong focus on the physics. It is suitable for deepening understanding and exploring contemporary aspects of the field. It includes numerous problems and examples.
Part of the renowned 'Course of Theoretical Physics' series, this book treats electrodynamics from a theoretical physics perspective, emphasizing the fundamental principles and mathematical formalism. It classic text valuable for graduate students and researchers seeking a deep theoretical understanding. It requires a strong mathematical background.
This textbook provides a clear and concise introduction to electromagnetism, making it an accessible resource for undergraduate students. It covers a wide range of topics, including Gauss's law and Faraday's law.
This textbook provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to electromagnetism, making it an excellent resource for undergraduate students. It covers a wide range of topics, including Gauss's law and Faraday's law.
Based on Feynman's legendary lectures, this volume offers a uniquely insightful and intuitive approach to electromagnetism. While not a traditional textbook with problem sets, it provides a profound understanding of the underlying physics and is highly recommended for gaining a broad understanding and appreciating the physical concepts.
This classic text standard reference for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in electrical engineering, focusing on electromagnetic fields and waves with applications in communication electronics. It is valuable for those interested in the applied aspects of electrodynamics.
Provides a clear and detailed treatment of electromagnetic radiation, a key topic in electrodynamics. It is suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students looking to deepen their understanding of radiation phenomena. It serves as a good reference for specific topics.
This graduate-level textbook provides an advanced and rigorous treatment of classical electromagnetism, with a focus on differential forms and spacetime geometry. It is suitable for students with a strong mathematical background seeking a deep theoretical understanding and exploring connections to general relativity.
Offers a concise yet comprehensive treatment of electrodynamics, suitable for advanced undergraduates and graduate students. It is known for its clear explanations and insightful problems, contributing to a deeper understanding of the subject.
This widely used textbook is geared towards engineering students and focuses on the applied aspects of electromagnetics. It is suitable for undergraduates and provides a strong foundation with numerous examples and practical applications.
Part of Greiner's theoretical physics series, this book offers a detailed and mathematically rigorous treatment of electrodynamics. It is suitable for graduate students seeking a deep theoretical understanding and valuable reference.
Focuses on the theorems, principles, and field representations relevant to engineering electrodynamics. It is suitable for graduate and advanced undergraduate students in engineering, providing a different perspective compared to physics-oriented texts and emphasizing applications. It includes recent developments like transformational electromagnetics.
This concise guide focuses specifically on Maxwell's equations, the cornerstone of electrodynamics. It is an excellent supplementary text for students at all levels looking to solidify their understanding of these fundamental equations. It is particularly helpful for those seeking to reinforce prerequisite knowledge.
Provides a comprehensive treatment of the classical theory of electromagnetism, suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate students. It covers a wide range of topics and can be used to deepen understanding of the theoretical framework. The third edition was published recently.
Table of Contents
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2025 OpenCourser