Pre-Quantum Electrodynamics

Fundamentals: After properly studying this module, you should be able to:

• write down Coulomb's law
• state the principle of superposition
• write down the electrostatic field at \({\bf r}\) generated by a set of point charges \(q_i\) at \({\bf r}_i\)
• write down the electrostatic field at \({\bf r}\) generated by a continuous charge distribution \(\rho ({\bf r}')\)
• write down the electrostatic potential at \({\bf r}\) generated by a set of point charges \(q_i\) at \({\bf r}_i\)
• write down the relationship between the electrostatic field and the electrostatic potential, in both differential and integral forms
• write down the curl of an electrostatic field
• write down the electrostatic potential at \({\bf r}\) generated by a continuous charge distribution \(\rho ({\bf r}')\)
• write down Gauss' law in integral form
• write down Gauss' law in differential form
• write down Poisson's equation
• write down Laplace's equation
• write down the formula for the energy of an electrostatic field
• state the basic properties of a conductor

Applications: As a strict minimum, you should be able to:

• using Gauss' law, calculate the electrostatic field at any point \({\bf r}\) originating from
  • a charged ball with uniform charge density \(\rho\)
  • an infinite line charge with linear charge density \(\lambda\)
  • an infinite charged plane with surface charge density \(\sigma\)