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Mathematics of Electromagnetism and Special Relativity (MATH0055)

Key information

Faculty
Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
Teaching department
Mathematics
Credit value
15
Restrictions
This module is normally taken as an option by second or third year students on single or combined honours mathematics degrees, who have taken MATH0016. It may be suitable for other students with a suitable background in applied mathematics.
Timetable

Alternative credit options

There are no alternative credit options available for this module.

Description

'"Let there be light," and there was light.' Maxwell's equations are a set of partial differential equations which describe light and many other phenomena related to electromagnetism. All optical, electrical, and radio technologies are covered by the Maxwell equations. This includes simple examples like the electrical field around a wire or modern applications like bluetooth wireless technology. Perhaps surprisingly, the Maxwell equations contain the initial seeds of Einstein's theory of special relativity which is required for a functioning GPS tracking system, for examples. The course starts with the historical development of the Maxwell equations and continues with simple applications of the theory, following by establishing solutions which can describe the propagation of electromagnetic waves, i.e. light! The final part of the course develops Einstein's special relativity and derives the wonderful equations E = mc2. The course aims to provide students who have an interest in mathematical physics with an introduction to classical electromagnetism and relativistic mechanics. The course should also be of interest to students wishing to see further application of the ideas covered in mathematical methods courses. By the end of this course students should have: - An understanding of steady and time-varying electric and magnetic fields and their description through Maxwell's equations, both in integral and differential form and scalar and vector potentials. - The ability to calculate steady solutions to these equations for simple geometries and as far-field expansions for more general situations. The ability to calculate electrostatic and magnetic energy, capacitance and inductance for simple geometries. - An understanding of electromagnetic wave propagation in a vacuum and of energy and momentum flow within time-varying fields and a description of the fields in terms of retarded potentials. - An understanding of special theory of relativity, space-time, relativistic mechanics and the behaviour of magnetic and electric fields under Lorentz transformation.

Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year

Intended teaching term: Term 2 ÌýÌýÌý Undergraduate (FHEQ Level 5)

Teaching and assessment

Mode of study
In person
Methods of assessment
90% Exam
10% Coursework
Mark scheme
Numeric Marks

Other information

Number of students on module in previous year
30
Module leader
Dr Michal Kwasigroch
Who to contact for more information
math.ugteaching@ucl.ac.uk

Last updated

This module description was last updated on 19th August 2024.

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