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. David Jackson, John Wiley (3rd edition) 1998
2. Classical Theory of Fields, L. D. Landau & E. M. Lifshitz, Heinemann, 1972
3. Classical Field Theory, Francis E. Low, J. Wiley & Sons (1st edition) 1997

PDF items for Course &CFT& and c6f6t

•    Course Description and Sample Exercises
•    Summary of Formulae and Applications
•    Study week tutorial exercises of November 2011
•    Revision exercise for Course MA3431
•    Conversion of units and the EM spectrum

Succeeding Course

     Classical Electrodynamics Course MA3432

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

      dated 2011-12-08 may be checked for validity and style.