Maxwell’s Equation
Maxwell's equations are a set of coupled partial differential
equations that, together with the Lorentz force law, form the
foundation of classical electromagnetism, classical optics, and
electric circuits.
Maxwell’s equations, four equations that, together, form a
complete description of the production and interrelation of
electric and magnetic fields.
Equations in Modern Vector Form
Vector is a quantity that has both magnitude and
direction. The equations given below are represented
into vector form
Formulation in integral form
Integral equations
are equations in
which an unknown
function appears
under an integral
sign.
Continue…..
The statements of these four equations are, respectively:
Electric field diverges from electric charge, an expression
of the Coulomb force
There are no isolated magnetic poles, but the Coulomb
force acts between the poles of a magnet
Electric fields are produced by changing magnetic fields,
an expression of Faraday’s law of induction
Circulating magnetic fields are produced by changing
electric fields and by electric currents
1.Gauss law In Electrostatics:
Gauss law describes the nature of the electric field around electric charges.
The law is expressed in terms of electric charge density and electric charge
density. Gauss Law The inverted triangle is called the divergence operator.
The equations hold good at any point in space. When the electric charge
exists any somewhere, the divergence of D at that particular point is
nonzero, else it is zero.
2. Gauss's Magnetism Law
You need to be familiar with Gauss Law for the electric field to
understand this equation.
∇.B=0
You can see that both the equations indicate the divergence of
the field. The top equation states that the divergence of the
electric flux density D equals the volume of electric charge
density. The second equation states the divergence of the
Magnetic Flux Density (B) is null.
3. Faraday's Law
Faraday was a scientist whose experiment setup led to Faraday’s
Law which is shown in the figure below.
Continue………
The experiment is not very complex. When a battery is
disconnected, no electricity flows through the wire. Hence,
no magnetic flux is induced in the iron (Magnetic Core). The
iron acts like a magnetic field that flows easily in a magnetic
material. The purpose of the core is to form a path for the
flow of magnetic flux.
4. Ampere’s Law
The law shows the relationship between the flow of electric
current and the magnetic field around it. Suppose the wire carries
a current I, the current produces a magnetic field that surrounds
the wire.
Significance of Maxwell Equations
Maxwell’s synthesis of Electromagnetism in these four
equations is one of the greatest milestones of theoretical
physics, in compared with Newton’s laws of motion in
mechanics. The physical significance of these equations is
that each of them represents generalization of certain
experimental observations and results, which can be
summarized in the following points
The first equation
The first equation relates electric charge closed within a
closed surface to the surrounding electric field. It describes
with mathematical clarity how the divergence of an electric
field is affected by charges. It states that net outward flux of
electric displacement vector through closed surface is equal
to the net charge enclosed by the surface but it is not related
to the shape and size of that surface.
∇.E= ρ/ε0
The second equation:
The second equation states that the magnetic flux through
closed surface is zero. This is due to real world magnetic
charges coming in pairs ( referred to as magnetic dipoles ),
with two charges giving rise to opposite magnetic field
divergences which cancel each other out. Gauss’s law for
magnetism is also mathematical form of the assertion that
single magnetic charges referred to as magnetic monopoles,
do not exists in our physical world.
∇.B=0
The third equation
The third equation describes how a time varying magnetic
field can create an electric field and acts as the source of
induced e.m.f. This is the operating principle behind many
electric generators like hydro-electric generator that drives
electricity through the power grid.
∇xE=-∂B/∂t
The fourth equation
Ampere's law with Maxwell's correction, states that magnetic
fields can be regenerated in two ways:
by electric current and by changing electric fields
The idea that a magnetic field can be induced by changing
electric field follows from the modern concept of displacement
current which was introduced to maintain the solenoidal nature
of Ampere's law in vacuum capacitor circuit. Maxwell's current
applies to polarization current in a dielectric medium, and it sits
adjacent to the modern displacement current in Ampere's law.
∇xB = µ0(J+Eo ∂E/dt)
