How does Faraday's law of induction relate to Special Relativity Theory?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Angel_1
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Induction
AI Thread Summary
Induction, particularly electromagnetic induction, is the process where a changing magnetic field generates an electric potential in a conductor. The discussion highlights the confusion surrounding the integral form of Faraday's law of induction, which can lead to misunderstandings if not properly contextualized with time derivatives. This confusion historically contributed to Einstein's development of Special Relativity, as he sought to reconcile electromagnetism with different inertial frames. Resources like Wikipedia and HyperPhysics provide valuable explanations but may not address all questions unless specific inquiries are made. Understanding the local laws of induction can clarify these concepts and reduce confusion.
Angel_1
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
I need to what is induction as it is so confusing. Thanks for the help.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Angel_1 said:
I need to what is induction as it is so confusing. Thanks for the help.
What is it about induction that you struggle with? Also, do you mean electromagnetic induction, where a varying magnetic field generate a potential difference in a conductor or electrostatic induction as in the operation of a Van der Graaf generator?
 
electromagnetism
 
Or might you mean induction in mathematics or logic as opposed to deduction?
 
Angel_1 said:
I need to what is induction as it is so confusing. Thanks for the help.

There are plenty of good articles online that explain what induction is. We can't really help you unless you ask some specific questions.

anorlunda said:
Or might you mean induction in mathematics or logic as opposed to deduction?

Electromagnetic induction. It's in post #3.
 
The Wikipedia article (at least the one in the English Wikipedia) is very good. Unfortunately there are many sources (even textbooks) which add a lot to the confusion by stating the law in integral form but are not carful enough with the time derivatives. That leads to all kind of confusion. This confusion has a long tradition. It's as old as the discovery of induction by Faraday. The good thing about this confusion is that it lead Einstein to the clue, how to solve the problem how to describe electromagnetism in different inertial frames, which lead to the famous paper "On electrodynamics of moving bodies" (translation mine), i.e., the final formulation of what we call Special Relativity Theory today.

In the Wikipedia the derivation of the integral form of the induction law from the fundamental (local) laws is correct. When you use this complete formula, there shouldn't be any confusion:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faraday's_law_of_induction#Proof_of_Faraday.27s_law
 
Back
Top