Electrodynamics of Continua II

Book excerpt: This is the second volume of a two-volume set presenting a unified approach to the electrodynamics of continua, based on the principles of contemporary continuum of physics. The first volume was devoted mainly to the development of the theory and applications to deformable solid media. This volume extends the developments of the first volume to richer and newer grounds. It contains discussions on fluid media, magnetohydrodynamics, eletrohydrodynamics and media with more complicated structures. With the discussion, in the last two chapters, of memory-dependent materials and non-local E-M theory, the authors account for the nonlocal effects arising from motions and fields of material points at past times and at spatially distant points. This discussion is included here to stimulate further research in these important fields, which are presently in development stages. The second volume is self-contained and can be studied without the help of volume I. A section summarizing the constitutive equations and the underlying physical ideas, which were presented in more detail in the first volume, is included. This volume may be used as a basis for several graduate courses in engineering schools, applied mathematics and physics departments. It also contains fresh ideas and will stimulate further research in the directions the authors outline.