The Energy of Physics Part II : Electricity and Magnetism

The Energy of Physics Part II: Electricity and Magnetism steps away from the traditional chronological organization of material and instead groups similar topics together, thus enabling students to better understand potentials and fields and the relationship between electricity and magnetism. 

In opening chapters, the concepts of potential and field are introduced in the context of the gravitational, electric, and magnetic interactions between point particles. Later chapters discuss the electric and magnetic fields and potentials of distributions of electric charge, the multipole expansions of these fields and potentials, and Maxwell’s Equations. The final chapters focus on electric circuits, with particular emphasis on AC circuits, electromagnetic waves, and optics. Appendices provide additional support in applied mathematics, derivations of key equations, further discussion of select examples, and more. 

The second edition features extensive revisions to the majority of the chapters, new problems for all chapters, and updated material in the appendices. 

The Energy of Physics Part II builds on the energy-based approach to classical mechanics presented in Part I and has the similar goal of helping students develop their applied mathematics skills. The book can be used in any calculus-based introductory electricity and magnetism course, especially those in physical sciences, engineering, and mathematics.

Christopher J. Fischer holds a Ph.D. in applied physics from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Dr. Fischer is the associate chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy and the director of the Engineering Physics Program at the University of Kansas, Lawrence. He has been extensively involved in curriculum development, including the redesign of the university's introductory calculus-based sequence. Dr. Fischer's research focuses on both biophysics and physics education.