Transformation of Fields As Predicted By Maxwell's Equations
See also: Classical electromagnetism and special relativityIn a frame moving at velocity v, the E-field in the moving frame when there is no E-field in the stationary magnet frame Maxwell's equations transform as:
where
is called the Lorentz factor and c0 is the speed of light in free space. This result is a consequence of requiring that observers in all inertial frames arrive at the same form for Maxwell's equations. In particular, all observers must see the same speed of light c0. That requirement leads to the Lorentz transformation for space and time. Assuming a Lorentz transformation, invariance of Maxwell's equations then leads to the above transformation of the fields for this example.
Consequently, the force on the charge is
This expression differs from the expression obtained from the nonrelativistic Newton's law of motion by a factor of . Special relativity modifies space and time in a manner such that the forces and fields transform consistently.
Read more about this topic: Moving Magnet And Conductor Problem
Famous quotes containing the words transformation of, fields, predicted and/or maxwell:
“Whoever undertakes to create soon finds himself engaged in creating himself. Self-transformation and the transformation of others have constituted the radical interest of our century, whether in painting, psychiatry, or political action.”
—Harold Rosenberg (19061978)
“The sun was like a great visiting presence that stimulated and took its due from all animal energy. When it flung wide its cloak and stepped down over the edge of the fields at evening, it left behind it a spent and exhausted world.”
—Willa Cather (18731947)
“School success is not predicted by a childs fund of facts or a precocious ability to read as much as by emotional and social measures; being self-assured and interested: knowing what kind of behavior is expected and how to rein in the impulse to misbehave; being able to wait, to follow directions, and to turn to teachers for help; and expressing needs while getting along with other children.”
—Daniel Goleman (20th century)
“Gin a body meet a body
Flyin through the air,
Gin a body hit a body,
Will it fly? and where?”
—James Clerk Maxwell (18311879)