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Understanding Maxwell's equations in differential form is of great importance when studying the electrodynamic phenomena discussed in advanced electromagnetism courses. It is therefore necessary that students master the use of vector…
Expanding our knowledge of student difficulties in advanced undergraduate electromagnetism is essential if we are to develop effective instructional interventions. Drawing on an analysis of course materials, in-class observations and…
1. Connection between integration and differentiation/ Gauss theorem. Coordinate-free definitions: gradient, divergence, curl. Stokes theorem. 2. Elements of continuum mechanics/ Continuity equation. Stress tensor. Euler equation.…
Modern undergraduate textbooks in electricity and magnetism typically focus on a force representation of electrodynamics with an emphasis on Maxwell's Equations and the Lorentz Force Law. The vector potential $\mathbf{A}$ and scalar…
The familiar divergence and Kelvin-Stokes theorem are generalized by a tensor-valued identity that relates the volume integral of the gradient of a vector field to the integral over the bounding surface of the outer product of the vector…
We show how a gradient in the motility properties of non-interacting point-like active particles can cause a pressure gradient that pushes a large inert object. We calculate the force on an object inside a system of active particles with…
In this paper, we use differential forms to prove a number of theorems of integral vector calculus that are rarely found in textbooks. Two of them, as far as the author knows, have not been published before. Some possible applications to…
A mathematical derivation of the force exerted by an \emph{inhomogeneous} (i.e., compressible) fluid on the surface of an \emph{arbitrarily-shaped} body immersed in it is not found in literature, which may be attributed to our trust on…
Vector calculus in three-dimensional space is ubiquitous in applications of mathematics in physics and engineering. Its two-dimensional version is, however, quite rare. Here we try to provide a pedagogical account of the subject. It is…
We outline a regular way for solving Maxwell's equations. We take, as the starting point, the notion of vector potentials. The rationale for introducing this notion in electrodynamics is that the set of Maxwell's equations is seemingly…
We present a new formulation of some basic differential geometric notions on a smooth manifold M, in the setting of nonstandard analysis. In place of classical vector fields, for which one needs to construct the tangent bundle of M, we…
The constraint equations in Maxwell theory are investigated. In analogy with some recent results on the constraints of general relativity it is shown, regardless of the signature and dimension of the ambient space, that the "divergence of a…
Vector and scalar potential formulation is valid from quantum theory to classical electromagnetics. The rapid development in quantum optics calls for electromagnetic solutions that straddle quantum physics as well as classical physics. The…
Undergraduate physics students are known to have difficulties with understanding mathematical tools, and with applying their knowledge of mathematics to physical contexts. Using survey statements based on student interviews and written…
We consider the electrodynamics of electric charges and currents in vacuum and then generalise our results to the description of a dielectric and magnetic material medium : first in spatial algebra (SA) and then in space-time algebra (STA).…
As documented by textbooks, the teaching of electromagnetic induction in university and high school courses is primarily based on what Feynman labeled as the ``flux rule'', downgrading it from the status of physical law. However, Maxwell…
We propose a new method to study motions of mixtures in fluid interfaces. We extend the equations of equilibrium in interfaces and the results associated with travelling waves for van der Waals like fluids. Maxwell rule is extended to…
In analogy to valued fields, we study model-theoretic properties of valued vector spaces with variable base field by proving transfer principles down to the skeleton and down to the value set and base field. For instance, we give a formula…
This note tries to show that a re-examination of a first course in analysis, using the more sophisticated tools and approaches obtained in later stages, can be a real fun for experts, advanced students, etc. We start by going to the…
An approach to the teaching of electromagnetism to senior undergraduate students, designed for overcoming the fragmentation of the theory is described. As usual it starts from the static case, but it is strictly based on Helmholtz theorem…