Electromagnetism & Special Relativity - MAT00095H
Module summary
This module will examine the mathematics which describe the physical phenomenon of electromagnetism and Einstein's special relativity. The student will learn to apply Maxwells’ equations to study problems in electromagnetism and gain a fundamental understanding of the physics behind the movement of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields. The module ends with a look at the mathematics which describe motions of objects at speeds near the speed of light, highlighting deep connections between special relativity and electromagnetism.
Related modules
Module will run
Occurrence | Teaching period |
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A | Semester 2 2024-25 |
Module aims
This module will examine the mathematics which describe the physical phenomenon of electromagnetism and Einstein's special relativity. The student will learn to apply Maxwells’ equations to study problems in electromagnetism and gain a fundamental understanding of the physics behind the movement of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields. The module ends with a look at the mathematics which describe motions of objects at speeds near the speed of light, highlighting deep connections between special relativity and electromagnetism.
Module learning outcomes
At the end of this module, students will be able to:
1. Apply Maxwell’s equations to problems in electrostatics and electrodynamics.
2. Solve problems involving static charges, steady currents and electromagnetic waves.
3. State the Lorentz transformation and apply it to solve elementary problems involving objects moving at relativistic velocities.
4. State the relativistic formulation of electromagnetism.
Module content
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Revision of vector calculus: div, grad, curl, Stokes’s theorem and the divergence theorem.
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Electric and magnetic phenomena.
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Maxwell's equations and some of their implications: duality, energy/power, momentum. Solutions of Maxwell's equations: static charges, steady currents, electromagnetic waves.
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Elementary relativistic electromagnetism.
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Inertial frames of reference; Events; simultaneous events; Time dilation; proper time; Length contraction; proper length.
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Space time; Lorentz transformations; Relativistic addition of velocities; Relativistic Doppler shift for electromagnetic radiation; Relativistic definitions of linear momentum and energy; Solve basic problems in special relativity including Compton scattering and particle decay in moving vs. stationary frames
Indicative assessment
Task | % of module mark |
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Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 100 |
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
Task | % of module mark |
---|---|
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) | 100 |
Module feedback
Current Department policy on feedback is available in the student handbook. Coursework and examinations will be marked and returned in accordance with this policy.
Indicative reading
J D Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics, (3rd edition), J. Wiley.
A.P. French: Special Relativity.
The Feynman Lectures on Physics: Volume 1 (Addison Wesley).