On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies

Abstract

It is known that Maxwell's electrodynamics — as usually understood at the present time — when applied to moving bodies, leads to asymmetries which do not appear to be inherent in the phenomena. Take, for example, the reciprocal electrodynamic action of a magnet and a conductor. The observable phenomenon here depends only on the relative motion of the conductor and the magnet, whereas the customary view draws a sharp distinction between the two cases in which either the one or the other of these bodies is in motion.

Citation

@article{einstein1905relativity,
  title = {On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies},
  author = {Einstein, Albert},
  journal = {Annalen der Physik},
  volume = {322},
  number = {10},
  pages = {891--921},
  year = {1905},
  doi = {10.1002/andp.19053221004}
}