	Department of Mathematics & Computer Science

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MA3001 Relativity and Electromagnetism

MA3001(=MC325) Relativity and Electromagnetism

Credits: 20

Convenor: Dr Mike Dampier

Semester: 1

Prerequisites:	essential: MA1001(=MC126); MA1002(=MC127); MA2001(=MC224); MA2051(=MC227)
Assessment:	Regular coursework: 10%	Three hour exam: 90%

Lectures:	36	Problem Classes:	10
Tutorials:	none	Private Study:	104
Labs:	none	Seminars:	none
Project:	none	Other:	none
Surgeries:	none	Total:	150

Course Description

This is an introductory course on Special Relativity and Electromagnetism. It is especially relevant to students on the Mathematics with Astronomy degrees, for whom it is a `core pool' module. However it is open to all students who have studied the stated prerequisites.

Aims

This course aims to equip the student with basic subject-specific knowledge in the areas of Special Relativity and Electromagnetism, particularly with a view to facilitating study in parts of the Mathematics with Astronomy degree.

Objectives

To know and understand the key physical concepts introduced in this module.

To be able to understand, reproduce and apply the main results and methods in this module.

To be able to solve some problems in Special Relativity and in Electromagnetism in those cases where the equations reduce to mathematically tractable forms.

Syllabus

Special Relativity

The Law of Inertia
The Conservation of Momentum
The Speed of Light
Events in Space-Time
Time: the fundamental fact
The Lorentz Transformations
The Velocity Transformation Formulae
Minkowski Space and 4-Vectors
Relativistic Dynamics 1: Conservation of 4-Momentum
Relativistic Dynamics 2: E = mc2
Relativistic Dynamics 3: Photons
Plane Waves

Electromagnetism

Electrostatics: charge, the electric field, Gauss' Flux Theorem, electric potential, capacitance, energy stored in a capacitor, and energy stored in the electric field.
Current density, charge conservation Ohm's law, decay of charge, and energy dissipation in a conductor.
Magnetic field: force on a moving charge, the law of Biot-Savart, magnetic field is divergence free, Ampère's Law, and the vector potential.
Electromagnetic induction: Faraday's Law, the dynamo, inductors, the energy stored in an inductor, and the energy stored in the magnetic field.
Electric and magnetic media, and changes to Gauss' Flux Theorem and Ampère's Law.
Maxwell's equations and electromagnetic waves

Transferable Skills

A working knowledge of electromagnetism and of special relativity. The ability to solve equations, both algebraic and differential, arising in physical applications.

Reading list

Background:

R. Katz, An Introduction to the Special Theory of Relativity, C Kacser, Introduction to the Special Theory of Relativity, T.M. Helliwell, Introduction to Special Relativity, A.P. French, Special Relativity, R. Resnick, Introduction to Special Relativity, N.D. Mermin, Space and Time in Special Relativity, R. Dobbs, Basic Electromagnetism, Chapman and Hall, 1993. C.A. Coulson and T.J.M. Boyd, Basic Electricity, Longman, 1979. W.A. Rachinger, Electricity and Magnetism, Diagnostic Tests, Wiley and Sons, 1973..

Details of Assessment

The final assessment of this module will be based on contributions of 10% from coursework and 90% from a three-hour examination during the Winter exam period. The 10% coursework contribution will come from the weekly work. In all there will be eight pieces of coursework, the best six being counted. The examination paper will contain 8 questions, with full marks on the paper obtainable from 5 complete answers.