Trinity College Dublin

Classical Field Theory Course MA3431

• Classical Lagrangian for a discrete system, Lagrangian density for a field
• Hamilton's variational principle, Lorentz invariance, time & space reversal
• Covariant field theory, tensors, scalar fields and the four-vector potential
• The Lorentz force, charged particle interaction, antisymmetric field tensor
• Lagrangian density for a free vector field; Maxwell equations for E and B
• Gauge invariance, the Lorenz gauge, charge conservation, four-currents
• Canonical stress tensor; conserved, traceless & symmetric stress tensor
• Particle and field energy-momentum & angular momentum conservation

Recommended material

1. Classical Electrodynamics, J D Jackson, John Wiley (3rd edition) 1998
2. Classical Theory of Fields, E M Lifshitz & L D Landau, Pergamon 1962
3. Classical Field Theory, Francis E Low, John Wiley (1st edition) 1997

PDF items for Course &CFT&

• Course Description and Sample Exercises
• Summary of Formulae and Applications
• Reading Week Problems to be attempted by Tuesday 16 November 2010
• Annual paper 2009 in Heaviside-Lorentz units
• Conversion of units and the EM spectrum

Succeeding Course

     Classical Electrodynamics Course MA3432

  http://www.maths.tcd.ie/~nhb/cftnhb.php  

        dated 2010-11-02 may be checked for validity and style.