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Is general and special relatively a consequence of Maxwells equations?

Physics Asked on April 20, 2021

It seems, more or less that,

special relativity simply states the effect on space and time assuming that Maxwell’s equations hold true everywhere, and

general relativity…

…well I was thinking it was a consequence of considering gravity in light of special relativity or maxwell’s equations but now it seems Einstein kinda pulled this one out of no where.

Are special and general theories of relativity a consequence of Maxwell’s equations?

Another way of asking this: Is the first part stated above true and how or what relationship General Relativity has with Maxwell’s equations?

One Answer

Is general and special relatively a consequence of Maxwells equations?

No. Neither is a consequence. You can have both Special Relativity and General Relativity without having electromagnetism and Maxwell’s equations.

The relativity theories are theories about the geometry of spacetime. Electromagnetism is a theory about one particular interaction taking place in spacetime. EM doesn’t make sense without spacetime, but spacetime does makes sense without EM.

How or what relationship General Relativity has with Maxwell's equations?

Maxwell’s equations can be formulated in curved spacetime so that they are compatible with General Relativity.

The original versions of Maxwell’s equations are form-invariant under Lorentz transformations. Historically, this was a clue toward the development of Special Relativity.

Correct answer by G. Smith on April 20, 2021

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