theory of special relativity (questions)
Relativity research task
1. James Clerk Maxwell was a Scottish theoretical physicist who proposed a mathematical link between magnetism and light. He developed a series of mathematical equations that were eventually reduced to four equations now known as Maxwell’s equations. Explain the significance of Maxwell’s equation to scientists’ understanding of the transmission of light and the search for the aether in the Newtonian era of physics.
James Clerk Maxwell developed four of the most influential equation of the Newtonian era, creating new gateways in the understanding of waves and most importantly, light. In doing so, Maxwell formulated four mathematical equations to express the relationship between electric and magnetic fields. Maxwell’s equation focuses on the oscillating electric charge that in turn produced an electromagnetic field. Maxwell’s four equations were officially recognised in 1873 as equations of electricity and magnetism.
The first two of Maxwell’s equations are mainly used at D.C. - i.e. when all the voltages and currents are constant and nothing is changing with time. These are somewhat less important, and can be derived from the 3rd and 4th equations. Maxwell’s 3rd and 4th equations provide rules for electric and magnetic fields to essentially control and dictate their behaviours. Faraday’s laws state that a changing magnetic field gives rise to a circling electric field, from this it was determined the electric field encircles the forever changing magnetic field. As a result of the changing magnetic field it can be deduced that the electric field is also changing in time. Maxwell used these equations to calculate and properties and behaviours of what was now known as the electromagnetic spectrum.
From the theorised properties of the electromagnetic spectrum, Maxwell also predicted the speed of light and its relation to the electromagnetic spectrum. However, as light was concluded as a wave it was presumed light required a medium to be
1. James Clerk Maxwell was a Scottish theoretical physicist who proposed a mathematical link between magnetism and light. He developed a series of mathematical equations that were eventually reduced to four equations now known as Maxwell’s equations. Explain the significance of Maxwell’s equation to scientists’ understanding of the transmission of light and the search for the aether in the Newtonian era of physics.
James Clerk Maxwell developed four of the most influential equation of the Newtonian era, creating new gateways in the understanding of waves and most importantly, light. In doing so, Maxwell formulated four mathematical equations to express the relationship between electric and magnetic fields. Maxwell’s equation focuses on the oscillating electric charge that in turn produced an electromagnetic field. Maxwell’s four equations were officially recognised in 1873 as equations of electricity and magnetism.
The first two of Maxwell’s equations are mainly used at D.C. - i.e. when all the voltages and currents are constant and nothing is changing with time. These are somewhat less important, and can be derived from the 3rd and 4th equations. Maxwell’s 3rd and 4th equations provide rules for electric and magnetic fields to essentially control and dictate their behaviours. Faraday’s laws state that a changing magnetic field gives rise to a circling electric field, from this it was determined the electric field encircles the forever changing magnetic field. As a result of the changing magnetic field it can be deduced that the electric field is also changing in time. Maxwell used these equations to calculate and properties and behaviours of what was now known as the electromagnetic spectrum.
From the theorised properties of the electromagnetic spectrum, Maxwell also predicted the speed of light and its relation to the electromagnetic spectrum. However, as light was concluded as a wave it was presumed light required a medium to be