Paradigms in Physics: Static Fields | 2025-Fall
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Syllabus
Course Name
Paradigms in Physics: Static Fields
Course Number
ph422
Year/Term
Fall-2025
Course Credits
4
Class meeting times
7 hours of lecture/discussion per week for five weeks.
Prerequisites
PH 422: PH 213, PH 335 (may be taken in the same term), MTH 255 (may be taken concurrently) PH 522: None
Course description
Theory of static electric, magnetic, and gravitational potentials and fields using the techniques of vector calculus in three dimensions.
Topic/Day
Activities
Resources
Homework Due
W1 D1: Math Bits
Introduction to the Static Fields (Math Bits)
Course Lecture Notes
Key Request Form
Research Consent Form
Densities
Acting Out Charge Densities
GSF: Densities
GEM 2.1.4
Non-uniform Densities
Modeling Nonuniform Density
Unit: (Math Bits) Integration and Differentiation in Curvilinear Coordinates
Introduction to the Unit
Learning Outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes: Integration and Differentiation in Curvilinear Coordinates
W1 D2: Math Bits
Review Curvilinear Coordinates
GSF: Curvilinear Coordinates
GSF: Change of Coordinates
Scalar Line, Surface, Volume Elements
Total Charge of a Rod
Curvilinear Volume Elements
GSF: Scalar Surface Elements
GSF: Triple Integrals in Cylindrical and Spherical Coordinates
GEM 1.3.1, 1.4
Total Charge
Total Charge: Spheres \& Cylinders
GSF: Total Charge
W1 D3: Math Bits
Vector Differential
Vector Differential--Rectangular
Vector Differential--Polar
Vector Differential--Curvilinear
GSF: The Vector Differential
GSF: Finding \(d\vec{r}\) on Rectangular Paths
GSF: Other Coordinate Systems
GSF: Calculating \(d\vec{r}\) in Curvilinear Coordinates
HW 01 Practice (w/ Solution)
HW 01 Practice (pdf)
HW 01 (w/ Solution)
HW 01 (pdf)
Use What You Know
Introduction to Use What You Know
Charge on a Parabola
GSF: Using \(d\vec{r}\) on More General Paths
GSF: Use What You Know
W1 D4: Math Bits
Vector Fields
Draw Vector Fields
GVC: Vector Fields for Mathematicians
GSF: Vector Fields for Physicists
Work and Vector Line Integrals
Vector Line Integrals (Contour Map)
Curvilinear Basis Vectors
Curvilinear Basis Vectors
GSF: Orthonormal Basis Vectors
GEM 1.4
W1 D5: Math Bits
Review The Multivariable Differential
GMM: The Multivariable Differential
HW 02 Practice (w/ Solution)
HW 02 Practice (pdf)
HW 02 (w/ Solution)
HW 02 (pdf)
Definition of Gradient
GSF: The Geometry of the Gradient
GSF: The Gradient in Rectangular Coordinates
GEM 1.2.2-1.2.3
Properties of Gradient
GSF: Properties of the Gradient
Visualizing Gradient
Acting Out the Gradient
Visualising the Gradient
GSF: Visualizing the Geometry of the Gradient
GSF: Using Technology to Visualize the Gradient
GEM 1.2.2-1.2.3
Taylor 4.3, 4.8
Gradient in Curvilinear Coordinates
GSF: The Gradient in Curvilinear Coordinates
GSF: Formulas for Div, Grad, Curl
Unit: Potentials Due to Discrete Charges
Introduction to the Unit
Learning Outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes: Potentials Due to Discrete Charges
W2 D1
Introduction to Static Fields (Physics)
Introduction to Static Fields
Electrostatic & Gravitational Potential
Electrostatic Potential Due to a Point Charge
GSF: Electrostatic and Gravitational Potentials and Potential Energies
GEM 2.3.4
GSF: Dimensions
Review Distance Formula
Visualizing Potentials I
Drawing Equipotential Surfaces
Read After Class:
GSF: Visualization of Potentials
W2 D2
Veterans Day (No Class)
W2 D3
Superposition of Discrete Charges
Electrostatic Potential Due to a Pair of Charges (without Series)
Read After Class:
GSF: Superpositions from Discrete Sources
GSF: Two Point Charges
GEM 2.3.4
HW 03 Practice (w/ Solution)
HW 03 Practice (pdf)
HW 03 (w/ Solution)
HW 03 (pdf)
Potential Due to a Pair of Charges: Limiting Cases
Electrostatic Potential Due to a Pair of Charges (with Series)
Read After Class:
GSF: Power Series for Two Point Charges
W2 D4
Visualizing Potentials (with Technology)
Using Technology to Visualize Potentials
Read After Class:
GSF: Using Technology to Visualize Potentials
Series for Multipoles
Multipole Expansions
Read After Class:
GSF: Using Technology to Visualize Power Series
\(1/r\) vs. \(1/r^2\)
$1/r/$ vs. $1/r^2$
Electrostatic Potential in Curvilinear Coordinates
Electrostatic Potential Due to a Ring of Charge
Read After Class:
GSF: Potentials from Continuous Charge Distributions
GSF: Potential Due to a Uniformly Charged Ring
GEM 2.3.4
W2 D5
Limiting Cases (V Ring)
HW 04 Practice (w/ Solution)
HW 04 Practice (pdf)
HW 04 (w/ Solution)
HW 04 (pdf)
Unit: Electric Fields
Introduction to the Unit
Learning Outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes: Electric Fields, $\vec{E}(\vec{r})$
W3 D1
Constants, Variables, and Parameters
Constants, Variables, and Parameters
Electric Field Due to a Point Charge
Electric Field of a Point Charge
GSF: Electric Field of a Point Charge
Superposition for Electric Fields
Drawing Electric Field Vectors for Discrete Charges
Read After Class:
GSF: Superposition for the Electric Field
GSF: The Geometry of Electric Fields
GEM 2.2.1
Electric Field Lines
GSF: Electric Field Lines
GEM 2.2.1
W3 D2
Electric Field Due to a Point Charge as a Gradient
GSF: Electric Field
GEM 2.1.1-2.1.2
Electric Fields from Continuous Charge Distributions
Electric Field Due to a Ring of Charge
Read After Class:
GSF: Electric Field from Continuous Charge Distributions
GSF: Electric Field Due to a Uniformly Charged Ring
GSF: The Electric Field of a Uniform Disk
GEM 2.1
Unit: Gauss's Law (Integral)
Introduction to the Unit
Learning Outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes: Gauss's Law (Integral Form)
W3 D3
Products of Vectors: Cross Product
Triple Product
Cross Product Review
GMM: Cross Product
GEM 1.1.1-1.1.3
HW 05 Practice (w/ Solution)
HW 05 Practice (pdf)
HW 05 (w/ Solution)
HW 05 (pdf)
Vector Surface Elements
Vector Surface and Volume Elements
Read After Class:
GSF: Vector Surface Elements
GEM 1.3.1
Flux Definition
Acting Out Flux
Read After Class:
GSF: Flux
GSF: Flux of the Electric Field
GEM 1.3.1, 2.2.1
W3 D4
Flux Calculation
Flux through a Paraboloid
Read After Class:
GSF: Highly Symmetric Surfaces
GSF: Less Symmetric Surfaces
Visualizing Flux
Visualizing Flux through a Cube
Read After Class:
GSF: Flux through a Cube
Gauss's Law in Integral Form
Gauss's Law in Symmetric Situations
Read After Class:
GSF: Gauss's Law
GSF: Gauss's Law and Symmetry
GSF: Gauss's Law for High Symmetry
GEM 2.2.3
W3 D5
Step Functions
Read After Class:
GMM: Step Functions
GEM 1.5.2
Video:
Step & Delta Functions
HW 06 Practice (w/ Solution)
HW 06 Practice (pdf)
HW 06 (w/ Solution)
HW 06 (pdf)
Delta Functions
Read After Class:
GMM: The Dirac Delta Function
GMM: Properties of the Dirac Delta Function
GMM: Representations of the Dirac Delta Function
GEM 1.5
W4 D1
Big Quiz
Static Fields Equation Sheet
Gravity (w/ Solution)
Gravity (pdf)
Unit: Maxwell's Equations in Differential Form
Introduction to the Unit
Learning Outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes: Divergence and Curl
W4 D2
More Gauss's Law
Derivatives of Vector Fields
Derivatives of Vector Fields
W4 D3
Definition of Divergence
Read After Class:
GSF: The Definition of Divergence
GEM 1.2.4
HW 07 Practice (w/ Solution)
HW 07 Practice (pdf)
HW 07 (w/ Solution)
HW 07 (pdf)
Visualization of Divergence
Visualization of Divergence
Read After Class:
GSF: Exploring the Divergence
GSF: Visualizing the Divergence
Divergence Theorem
GSF: The Divergence Theorem
GEM 1.3.4
Taylor 13.7
W4 D4
Thanksgiving (No Class)
W4 D5
Thanksgiving Break (No Class)
HW 08 Practice
HW 08 Practice (pdf)
HW 08
HW 08 (pdf)
Unit: Magnetic Fields
Introduction to the Unit
Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
Unit Learning Outcomes: Magnetostatic Fields
W5 D1
Divergence in Curvilinear Coordinates
Read After Class:
GSF: The Divergence in Curvilinear Coordinates
GSF: Exploring the Divergence in Polar Coordinates
Differential Form of Gauss's Law
GSF: Differential Form of Gauss's Law
GSF: The Divergence of a Coulomb Field
GEM 2.2.1-2.2.2
Current Density
Acting Out Current Density
Read After Class:
GSF: Current
GEM 5.1.3, 5.2.2
W5 D2
Big Quiz Redux
Total Current
Current from a Spinning Cylinder
Ampère's Law in Integral Form
Amp\`ere's Law in Symmetric Situations
Read After Class:
GSF: Ampère's Law
GSF: Current in a Wire
GSF: Ampère's Law and Symmetry
GSF: Ampère's Law on Cylinders
GEM 5.3.3
W5 D3
Curl
Visualization of Curl
Read After Class:
GSF: The Geometry of Curl
GSF: The Definition of Curl
GSF: The Curl in Curvilinear Coordinates
GSF: Exploring the Curl II
GSF: Visualizing the Curl
GEM 1.2.5
HW 09 Practice (w/ Solution)
HW 09 Practice (pdf)
HW 09 (w/ Solution)
HW 09 (pdf)
Proportional Reasoning Practice (w/ Solution)
Proportional Reasoning Practice (pdf)
W5 D4
Stokes' Theorem
GSF: Stokes' Theorem
GEM 1.3.5
Differential Form of Ampère's Law
GSF: Differential Form of Ampère's Law
GEM 5.3.3
Introduction to the Lorentz Force Law
Lorentz Force Law to Words
GSF: The Lorentz Force Law
GEM 5.1, 5.3.4
Taylor 2.5
Relationship of Fields
V, $\vec{E}$, U, $\vec{F}$
Read After Class:
GSF: The Relationship between \(V\), \(\vec{E}\), \(U\), and \(\vec{F}\)
GEM 2.3.1-2.3.2
Taylor 4.2
Work
Read After Class:
GSF: Conservative Vector Fields
GSF: Independence of Path
GSF: Visualizing Conservative Vector Fields
GSF: Finding Potential Functions
GSF: Finding the Potential from the Electric Field
GEM 1.3.2-1.3.3
GEM 2.4.1
Taylor 4.2
Lorentz Force Law
Curl-Free Vector Fields
Read After Class:
GSF: Curl-Free Vector Fields
GEM 1.6.2
Taylor 4.4
Electrostatic Energy Due to Discrete Charges
Electrostatic Energy of Discrete Charges
Read After Class:
GSF: Electrostatic Energy from Discrete Charges
GEM 2.4.1-2.4.2
W5 D5
Biot Savart Law
Read After Class:
GSF: The Biot-Savart Law
GSF: The Magnetic Field of a Straight Wire
GSF: The Magnetic Field of a Spinning Ring
GSF: Comparing \(\vec{B}\) and \(\vec{A}\) for a Spinning Ring
GEM 5.2.2
HW 10 Practice (w/ Solution)
HW 10 Practice (pdf)
HW 10 (w/ Solution)
HW 10 (pdf)
Review
GSF: Learning Outcomes
GSF: The Relationship between \(\vec{E}\), \(V\), and \(\rho\)
GSF: The Relationship between \(\vec{B}\), \(\vec{A}\), and \(\vec{J}\)
GEM 2.3.5, 5.4.2
GEM 5.3.4
12/10, noon
FINAL EXAM
Static Fields Equation Sheet