Visual electromagnetics using Mathematica and HyperCard

Computer-generated graphic solutions to electromagnetic problems are being developed to help build intuition and visualization skills in students of electromagnetic courses. These solutions are referred to as visual electromagnetics. The idea is to use upper division students in physics to help generate solutions, and in the process teach these students how to write numerical code and graphically display the results. Modules on electromagnetics are being generated using Mathematica to generate the code and graphics and HyperCard to store the graphics in a mode that allows student interaction. Each module will cover an area in electromagnetics, and will consist of several HyperCard stacks. Mathematica, with its powerful mathematics capabilities and multitude of plot types, makes developing the basic code to generate the graphics much easier than in the past. HyperCard has revolutionized retrieval and organization of the generated solutions allowing text, animation, and sound to be coupled in a seamless manner.<>