Relativity and electromagnetism

Abstract

Very soon after Maxwell’s field equations were established as a statement of the fundamental principles of electromagnetism, it became clear that there were serious difficulties in interpreting them in a way compatible with Newtonian mechanics. These difficulties were only finally resolved in 1905 by Einstein’s theory of relativity, which proposed a radically new vision of the nature of space and time. In terms of Einstein’s theory, the electromagnetism of Maxwell came to be seen as a perfect example of a fully developed relativistic theory. An appreciation of the relativistic nature of electromagnetism gives important insights into its theoretical structure as well as providing some techniques useful in its practical applications.