Maxwell's equations require special relativity by 
Ciro Santilli 34 Updated 2024-12-15 +Created 1970-01-01
Ciro Santilli 34 Updated 2024-12-15 +Created 1970-01-01The following aspects of Maxwell's equations make no sense without special relativity:
- the Lorentz force would be different observers have different speeds, see e.g.: charged particle moving at the same speed of electrons thought experiment
- Maxwell's equations imply that the speed of light is the same for all inertial reference frames
When charged particle though experiment are seen from the point of view of special relativity, it becomes clear that magnetism is just a direct side effect of charges being viewed in special relativity. One is philosophically reminded of how spin is the consequence of quantum mechanics + special relativity.