The Principles of Electromagnetic Theory and of Relativity

M. -A. Tonnelat

ISBN 10: 9401035520 / ISBN 13: 9789401035521

Published by Springer Netherlands, Springer Netherlands, 2011

About this Item

Druck auf Anfrage Neuware - Printed after ordering - The aim of this work is to study the principles upon which the classical and relativistic theories of the electromagnetic and gravitational fields are based. Thus, the primary object of the book is to present a simple exposition of Maxwell's theory, of General Relativity and of the link between those two concepts, namely, Special Relativity. In the nineteenth century the notion of a continuous field gradually replaced the idea of action at a distance. The electromagnetic theory that was elaborated at that time covers a very large area of Physics, since it makes possible the description of permanent phenomena, electrostatics and magnetostatics, as well as of variable phenomena. It anticipates the existence of waves, and thereby the theory of light is annexed to this vast domain. It was discovered that Maxwell's equations changed their form when they were related to reference systems associated with two observers in rectilinear uniform motion with respect to each other and each endowed with the absolute time required by classical mechanics. This was a most remarkable fact. Indeed, as soon as attempts were made to verify the results of classical kinematics by means of experiments with the propa gation of light, there arose a whole series of contradictions.

Seller Inventory # 9789401035521

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Principles of Electromagnetic Theory and of Relativity
• Publisher: Springer Netherlands, Springer Netherlands
• Publication Date: 2011
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 9401035520
• ISBN 13: 9789401035521
• Binding: Taschenbuch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 223W x 152H x 27D millimeters 223 millimeters width by 152 millimeters height by 27 millimeters depth
• Weight: 682 grams

About this title

Synopsis

The aim of this work is to study the principles upon which the classical and relativistic theories of the electromagnetic and gravitational fields are based. Thus, the primary object of the book is to present a simple exposition of Maxwell's theory, of General Relativity and of the link between those two concepts, namely, Special Relativity. In the nineteenth century the notion of a continuous field gradually replaced the idea of action at a distance. The electromagnetic theory that was elaborated at that time covers a very large area of Physics, since it makes possible the description of permanent phenomena, electrostatics and magnetostatics, as well as of variable phenomena. It anticipates the existence of waves, and thereby the theory of light is annexed to this vast domain. It was discovered that Maxwell's equations changed their form when they were related to reference systems associated with two observers in rectilinear uniform motion with respect to each other and each endowed with the absolute time required by classical mechanics. This was a most remarkable fact. Indeed, as soon as attempts were made to verify the results of classical kinematics by means of experiments with the propa­ gation of light, there arose a whole series of contradictions.