Magnetic Fields, Special Relativity and Potential Theory

Magnetic Fields, Special Relativity and Potential Theory is an introduction to electromagnetism, special relativity, and potential theory, with emphasis on the magnetic field of steady currents (magnetostatics). Topics covered range from the origin of the magnetic field and the magnetostatic scalar potential to magnetization, electromagnetic induction and magnetic energy, and the displacement current and Maxwell's equations. This volume is comprised of five chapters and begins with an overview of magnetostatics, followed by a chapter on the methods of solving potential problems drawn from electrostatics, magnetism, current flow, and gravitation. Relaxing the constraint of stationary steady currents, the next chapter considers electromagnetic induction when the current strengths in closed circuits vary or when the circuits move. This leads to the necessity of assessing the breakdown of Newtonian ideas and the introduction of special relativity. When the constraint of closed circuits is further relaxed and the motion of charges in open circuits is taken into account, the discussion turns to displacement current because of the relativistic theory already set up, leading to Maxwell's equations. This book will be a valuable resource for undergraduate students of physics.