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Electromagnetism & Special Relativity - MAT00095H

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  • Department: Mathematics
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: H
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

This module will examine the mathematics which describe the physical phenomenon of electromagnetism and Einstein's special relativity. The student will learn to apply Maxwells’ equations to study problems in electromagnetism and gain a fundamental understanding of the physics behind the movement of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields. The module ends with a look at the mathematics which describe motions of objects at speeds near the speed of light, highlighting deep connections between special relativity and electromagnetism.

Related modules

Pre-requisite modules

Co-requisite modules

  • None

Prohibited combinations

  • None

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

This module will examine the mathematics which describe the physical phenomenon of electromagnetism and Einstein's special relativity. The student will learn to apply Maxwells’ equations to study problems in electromagnetism and gain a fundamental understanding of the physics behind the movement of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields. The module ends with a look at the mathematics which describe motions of objects at speeds near the speed of light, highlighting deep connections between special relativity and electromagnetism.

Module learning outcomes

At the end of this module, students will be able to:

1. Apply Maxwell’s equations to problems in electrostatics and electrodynamics.

2. Solve problems involving static charges, steady currents and electromagnetic waves.

3. State the Lorentz transformation and apply it to solve elementary problems involving objects moving at relativistic velocities.

4. State the relativistic formulation of electromagnetism.

Module content

  • Revision of vector calculus: div, grad, curl, Stokes’s theorem and the divergence theorem.

  • Electric and magnetic phenomena.

  • Maxwell's equations and some of their implications: duality, energy/power, momentum. Solutions of Maxwell's equations: static charges, steady currents, electromagnetic waves.

  • Elementary relativistic electromagnetism.

  • Inertial frames of reference; Events; simultaneous events; Time dilation; proper time; Length contraction; proper length.

  • Space time; Lorentz transformations; Relativistic addition of velocities; Relativistic Doppler shift for electromagnetic radiation; Relativistic definitions of linear momentum and energy

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Closed/in-person Exam (Centrally scheduled) 100

Module feedback

Current Department policy on feedback is available in the student handbook. Coursework and examinations will be marked and returned in accordance with this policy.

Indicative reading

J D Jackson, Classical Electrodynamics, (3rd edition), J. Wiley.

A.P. French: Special Relativity.

The Feynman Lectures on Physics: Volume 1 (Addison Wesley).


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.