Classical Electrodynamics

Classical Electrodynamics by John David Jackson is a classic graduate-level textbook on electromagnetism. It’s renowned for its comprehensive and rigorous approach, serving as a standard reference for students and researchers in physics for over six decades.
Key Characteristics and Content
• Comprehensive Coverage: The book starts with fundamental concepts like electrostatics and magnetostatics, then moves on to Maxwell’s equations, electromagnetic waves, and radiation. It covers a wide range of advanced topics, including special relativity, waveguides, and the interaction of radiation with matter.
• Mathematical Rigor: “Jackson,” as it’s often called, is known for its heavy emphasis on mathematical methods. It assumes a strong background in mathematics and uses tools like vector calculus, Green’s functions, and special functions to solve complex problems. It’s not a book for those seeking a gentle introduction to the subject.
• Notoriously Difficult Problems: The book is famous—or infamous—for the difficulty of its end-of-chapter problems. They require students to fill in the steps between equations and develop a deep analytical understanding of the material.
• Focus on Theoretical Physics: The content and chosen topics, particularly in later chapters, are geared towards students interested in theoretical, nuclear, and particle physics. It delves into subjects like relativistic kinematics and the radiation emitted by moving and colliding charges.
• Evolution of Editions: Over its three editions, the book has adapted to changes in the field and teaching practices. The third edition, for example, adopted SI units for the first half of the book, a notable change from the Gaussian units used throughout the previous editions. It also introduced new sections on numerical techniques and modern applications like fiber optics and synchrotron light sources.
In essence, it’s a foundational text that provides a deep, unified, and mathematically demanding treatment of electromagnetism, preparing students for advanced study and research in physics.