Quasistatics is introduced so that it fits smoothly into the standardtextbook presentation of electrodynamics. The usual path from statics togeneral electrodynamics is rather short and surprisingly simple. A closer lookreveals however that it is not without confusing issues as has been illustratedby many contributions to this Journal. Quasistatic theory is conceptuallyuseful by providing an intermediate level in between statics and the full setof Maxwell's equations. Quasistatics is easier than general electrodynamics andin some ways more similar to statics. It is however, in terms of interestingphysics and important applications, far richer than statics. Quasistatics ismuch used in electromagnetic modeling, an activity that today is possible on aPC and which also has great pedagogical potential. The use of electromagneticsimulations in teaching gives additional support for the importance ofquasistatics. This activity may also motivate some change of focus in thepresentation of basic electrodynamics.
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