Adding an Einsteinian motivation to key discussions in an electromagnetism course

TL;DR

This paper introduces an educational approach that uses Einsteinian quotes and historical context to deepen electromagnetism understanding, emphasizing relativity and differential analysis for physics teachers.

Contribution

It proposes integrating historical quotes, fundamental topics, and relativistic perspectives into electromagnetism teaching to enhance conceptual understanding.

Findings

Using Einsteinian quotes motivates students.

Relativistic analysis clarifies electromagnetism concepts.

Tensor form of Maxwell equations is introduced.

Abstract

This paper aims to provide physics teachers with tools to help deepen the understanding of the laws of electromagnetism. The fundamental contributions of our proposal are: a) to use quotes from mythical characters in the history of science as a motivating educational resource; b) to promote the discussion of striking and fundamental topics; c) to mention diverse approaches and stimulate the search for correct answers to provocative questions. Citations from Einstein refer to principal contributions made by Newton, Maxwell and himself. Emphasis is placed on the cognitive value of differential (local, infinitesimal) analysis of fundamental concepts (field structure, causality, field relativistic transformations). The unity of electromagnetism is analyzed from the point of view of special relativity. It is clarified that descriptions suggesting that the magnetic field is dispensable are contrary to the Einstenian approach: they assume that, to describe the interaction between moving charges, there is a preferred coordinate system for each particular problem. An introductory presentation of the tensor form of Maxwell equations is provided.