Electricity, Magnetism, and Light

A very comprehensive introduction to electricity, magnetism and optics ranging from the interesting and useful history of the science, to connections with current real-world phenomena in science, engineering and biology, to common sense advice and insight on the intuitive understanding of electrical and magnetic phenomena. This is a fun book to read, heavy on relevance, with practical examples, such as sections on motors and generators, as well as `take-home experiments' to bring home the key concepts.

Slightly more advanced than standard freshman texts for calculus-based engineering physics courses with the mathematics worked out clearly and concisely. Helpful diagrams accompany the discussion. The emphasis is on intuitive physics, graphical visualization, and mathematical implementation.

Electricity, Magnetism, and Light is an engaging introductory treatment of electromagnetism and optics for second semester physics and engineering majors. Focuses on conceptual understanding, with an emphasis on relevance and historical development.Mathematics is specific and avoids unnecessary technical development.Emphasis on physical concepts, analyzing the electromagnetic aspects of many everyday phenomena, and guiding readers carefully through mathematical derivations.Provides a wealth of interesting information, from the history of the science of electricity and magnetism, to connections with real world phenomena in science, engineering, and biology, to common sense advice and insight on the intuitive understanding of electrical and magnetic phenomena

Review/Preview Electricity: Its Uses and Its Visualization
1 A History of Electricity and Magnetism, to Conservation of Charge
2 Coulomb's law for Static Electricity, Principle of Superposition
3 The Electric Field
4 Gauss's Law: Flux and Charge Are Related
5 Electrical Potential Energy and Electrical Potential
6 Capacitance
7 Ohm's Law: Electric Current Is Driven by Emf, and Limited by Electrical Resistance
8 Batteries, Kirchhoff's Rules, and Complex Circuits
9 The Magnetism of Magnets
10 How Electric Currents Interact with Magnetic Fields
11 How Electric Currents Make Magnetic Fields: The Biot-Savart Law and Amp` ere's Law
12 Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction
13 Mechanical Implications of Faraday's Law: Motors and Generators
14 Alternating Current Phenomena: Signals and Power
15 Maxwell's Equations and Electromagnetic Radiation
16 Optics
Appendix A General Mathematics Review
Appendix B Introduction to Spreadsheets
Appendix C The Periodic Table
Appendix D Solutions to Odd-Numbered Problems