Electrodynamics and Classical Theory of Fields and Particles (Dover Books on Physics)

Book Details:

• Publisher: Dover

• Author: A.O. Barut

• Language: English

• Edition: New

• ISBN: 9780486640389

• Pages: 256

• Cover: Paperback

• Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches

About The Book:

In Electrodynamics and Classical Theory of Fields and Particles, A.O. Barut offers a systematic and covariant treatment of classical theories of particle motion, fields, and the interaction of these entities, with a particular focus on the interaction between charged particles and the electromagnetic field. The book adopts a relativistic approach and presents the equations governing particles and fields in a coordinate-free (covariant) form, making it an invaluable resource for understanding relativistic quantum theory.

The book opens with an extensive discussion of space-time, Lorentz transformations, Lorentz groups, and tensor and spinor fields—fundamental concepts essential to theoretical physics. The author then explores the dynamics of particle motion in the presence of external forces, followed by a thorough examination of field equations, conservation laws, and their implications.

In the second part of the book, Barut provides a lucid treatment of the interaction between fields and particles. The solution of field equations using Green's functions and Dirac formalism is explored in-depth, and the book further delves into radiation, radiation reaction, and the limitations of classical field theories. The final chapters offer a mechanical approach to the interactions of charged particles, focusing on the action-at-a-distance formulation of electrodynamics.

Each chapter includes problems, alternate proofs, and additional topics, along with a helpful bibliography. This book is an excellent resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of classical electrodynamics and the fundamental interactions between particles and fields.