Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Special Relativity, 7, David Peak

Special Relativity

Relativistic electromagnetism

Let’s return to the problem posed at the end of BK2.

Special Relativity, 2, David Peak

Special Relativity

Events not connected by light propagation

Previously, we considered two events (A, with s-t coordinates (x_A, y_A,z_A ,T_A ) = (x^′_A, y_^′A,z^′_A,T ^′_A ) = (0,0,0,0) according to both O and Oʹ [moving relative to O with constant velocity β along the mutual x, x^′ -axes], and B, with coordinates (x_B,0,0,T_B) and (x^′_B,0,0,T^′_B)) connected by a light pulse.

Special Relativity, 5, David Peak

Special Relativity

No abstract provided.

Special Relativity, 1, David Peak

Special Relativity

Newton and Maxwell

We have seen that simple magnetic forces are incompatible with Newtonian mechanics. There are far more profound incompatibilities between electromagnetism and Newton. In particular, Maxwell’s equations predict that an accelerating charge produces a time changing magnetic field, which, in turn, produces a time changing electric field, which, in turn, produces a time changing magnetic field, which, in turn, produces … . This self-sustaining production of magnetic and electric fields propagates away from the source charge at a finite speed given by 1 µ0ε 0 (in empty space), the numerical value of which is approximately 3x108 m/s. But, …

Special Relativity, 6, David Peak

Special Relativity

Energy-momentum vector

Special Relativity, 4, David Peak

Special Relativity

More kinematic consequences of the Lorentz transformations

Light cones: A “light cone” is a set of world lines corresponding to light rays emanating from and/or entering into an event.