Abstract
In this work, we study a problem in electromagnetothermoelasticity with thermal relaxation for a half-space whose surface is subjected to a thermal shock and is laid on a rigid foundation. Laplace transform techniques are used to obtain the solution by a direct approach. Wave propagation in the elastic medium and in the free space, bounding it, is investigated. The solution of the problem is obtained analytically using asymptotic expansions valid for short times. The temperature, displacement, stress, and the induced magnetic and electric field distributions are obtained analytically. The numerical values of these functions are represented graphically.