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Special Relativity and Electromagnetism (PHYC20015)
Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
To learn more, visit COVID-19 course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Overview
| Availability | Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
This subject introduces Einstein’s Special Principle of Relativity and develops the fundamental principles of electromagnetism and Maxwell’s equations in differential form. Special relativity topics include the foundations of special relativity, spacetime invariance, simultaneity, and Minkowski diagrams, relativistic kinematics, the Doppler effect, relativistic dynamics, and nuclear reactions. Electromagnetism topics include the electric field (e.g. Gauss’s law in integral and differential form, scalar potential and gradient, Poisson and Laplace equations), the magnetic field (e.g. Ampere’s law in integral and differential forms), Maxwell’s equations in vacuum (integral and differential forms), Maxwell’s equations in matter (polarization, electric displacement, magnetic vector potential), time-varying electric and magnetic fields (Maxwell’s equations in general form, wave equations for E and B, plane electromagnetic wave, Poynting vector). The presentation concludes with the relativistic formulation of the Lorentz force law.
Intended learning outcomes
To challenge students to expand their knowledge of fundamental physics principles and develop their capacity to:
- discuss the key observations and events that led to the development of Einstein’s theory of special relativity and Maxwell’s equations of electromagnetism;
- explain the fundamental principles of special relativity and electromagnetism and the far-reaching connections between them
- use these fundamental physical principles in the analysis of simple problems;
- discuss the experimental basis of these fundamental principles and how this contributed to the subsequent development of fundamental physics.
Generic skills
A student who completes this subject should be able to:
- Explain their understanding of physics principles and applications lucidly, both in writing and orally;
- Describe the experimental and observational basis of the physical principles presented in the subject, both in writing and orally;
- Participate as an effective member of a group in tutorial discussions and study groups;
- Think independently and analytically and direct his or her own learning;
- Manage time effectively in order to be prepared for regular tutorial classes, tests, the examination and to complete assignments.
Last updated: 6 December 2023
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYC10001 | Physics 1: Advanced | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| PHYC10003 | Physics 1 |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| PHYC10009 | Foundations of Physics | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Important: To qualify as a prerequisite for this subject, PHYC10009 must be completed with a result of at least 75 (H2A).
AND
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHYC10002 | Physics 2: Advanced | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| PHYC10004 | Physics 2: Physical Science & Technology |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| PHYC10006 | Physics 2: Life Sciences & Environment | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
AND
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAST10006 | Calculus 2 |
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| MAST10009 | Accelerated Mathematics 2 | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| MAST10021 | Calculus 2: Advanced | Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST10019 Calculus Extension Studies
AND
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAST10007 | Linear Algebra |
Summer Term (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| MAST10008 | Accelerated Mathematics 1 | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
| MAST10022 | Linear Algebra: Advanced | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MAST10018 Linear Algebra Extension Studies
AND
One of
| Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAST20009 | Vector Calculus |
Semester 2 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
| MAST20032 | Vector Calculus: Advanced | Semester 1 (Dual-Delivery - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Note: these can be taken concurrently (at the same time)
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 6 December 2023
Assessment
| Description | Timing | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
Three written assignments requiring a total of up to twenty-four hours of work outside class time to be submitted and assessed early, mid and late semester (10% for each assignment).
| During the teaching period | 30% |
A written examination
| During the examination period | 70% |
Additional details
This Dual-Delivery subject has On Campus assessment components.
Last updated: 6 December 2023
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Coordinator Ann Roberts Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours 48 hours comprising 36 hours of lectures and 12 hours of tutorials. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 25 July 2022 to 23 October 2022 Last self-enrol date 5 August 2022 Census date 31 August 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 23 September 2022 Assessment period ends 18 November 2022 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 Hours
Additional delivery details
This Dual-Delivery subject has On Campus assessment components.
Last updated: 6 December 2023
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
NMJ Woodhouse, Special Relativity, Springer, 2003
E Purcell, Electricity and Magnetism, 3rd ed., Cambridge University Press
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Informal specialisation Physics - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 6 December 2023