Preface
- Page ID
- 100265
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Welcome to Electricity and Magnetism for Amateur Radio and Wireless Technology! This book is designed to teach you about the physics of electricity and magnetism at the introductory undergraduate university level. This book distinguishes itself from other physics textbooks on this topic by placing the subject into the specific context of amateur radio and other wireless technology. Ideally, you will be learning about electricity and magnetism and also preparing to become an amateur radio operator at an entry-level (e.g., Technician class in the United States) at the same time.
No prior experience or knowledge is assumed about electricity or magnetism, but you are expected to have some background in the concepts and practice of Newtonian physics at a college or university level (e.g., OpenStax University Physics, vol. 1, or College Physics, 2nd ed., Ch. 1‒8). This book also assumes some prior knowledge of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, vectors, and differential and integral calculus to understand the mathematical content fully. A background in vector calculus and differential equations will be helpful, but not necessary, as those topics are developed in the text as needed. That said, the book also includes numerous discussions of physics concepts that do not require mathematics to understand or apply, so do not let your math background get in the way of the interesting and amazing physics that awaits!
This project has been inspired and supported by numerous sources. I want to acknowledge the following people and organizations:
- Terrell Teaching Innovation Grant for 2023-24 from the Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning at Kettering University (Cindy Donner, Director)
- Department of Natural Sciences at Kettering University (Prof. Dan Ludwigsen, Department Head, and colleagues in the department)
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Kettering University (Prof. Mark Thompson, Department Head, and faculty)
- Kettering University Amateur Radio and Electronics Club (including recent presidents, Ruth Willet, KM4LAO; Quinn Austin, KE8TKJ; Jake Dancel, KE8TMJ; Jason Aurilia, KE8YLQ, and faculty member, Prof. Larry Navarre, N8LJN)
- American Radio Relay League, including their Teachers Institute on Wireless Technology, Collegiate Amateur Radio Program, and numerous publications (including Steve Goodgame, K5ATA; Eliza Croarkin, KC1TAP; Marvin Turner, W0MET; Tommy Gober, N5DUX; Wayne Greene, KB4DSF; Bob Inderbitzen, NQ1R)
- Livonia Amateur Radio Club (LARC, K8UNS)
- Ham Radio Science Citizen Initiative (HamSCI)
- Ham Radio Question Pool (Russ Olsen)
- National Conference of Volunteer Examiner Coordinators (NCVEC)
- OpenStax project from Rice University (Much of the core content of the book is a derivative of their textbook, University Physics, vol. 2)
- LibreTexts project (including Prof. Delmar Larsen, Josh Halpern, Eric Kean, Jennifer Rogers, and the rest of the team)
- Various authors of relevant open-educational textbooks including
- Steven W. Ellingson, Electromagnetics, vol 1; Electromagnetics, vol. 2; Radio Systems Engineering. revised 1st ed.
- Tony R. Kuphaldt, Electrical Circuits I (DC), Electrical Circuits II (AC), Electrical Circuits III (Semiconductors),
- Michael Steer, Fundamentals of Microwave and RF Design
- Don H. Johnson, Electrical Engineering
Finally, I would like to thank my family for their patience while I have been spending so much time on this project!
Ronald E. Kumon (K8DTJ)
Associate Professor of Physics
Kettering University