Blog Proposal

Electrodynamics is concerned with answering a simple question: what is the force exerted on a test charge Q by some arbitrary configuration of charge? Griffiths does not achieve the equation that truly answers this until the tenth chapter; while powerful, the relationship is complex. My goal is to explore this overarching equation and the ideas directly preceding it, including the Liénard-Wiechert Potentials, Jefimenko’s Equations, and retarded time. In order to deal with the five dimensional nature of these equations I will make heavy use of Mathematica’s plotting and manipulation functions. My hope is to generate a number of graphical representations of these functions, some with simplifying assumptions made, and thereby expose their physical significance.

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2 thoughts on “Blog Proposal

  1. chnadell Post author

    These equations have 3 spacial dimensions, a time dimension, and a dimension that represents electric potential, magnetic vector potential, magnetic field, or electric field.
    Yes, the Liénard-Wiechert potentials are those of a moving point charge, and the force equation I referenced is directly preceded by the equation for the electric field generated by a moving point charge. I see the potentials and fields as being very closely related, and it’s my hope to get some good graphical representations of all of them.

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