Maxwells Equations

A Students Guide To Maxwells Equations

by Daniel Fleisch (2008) Cambridge University Press.

Lots of videos to help

Bob Eagle (UK) YouTube

d B
E dA
q E dr
dt
0
d E
B dr 0 I 0 0
B dA 0 dt
 Maxwells equations of
electromagnetism

All relationships
between electric &
magnetic fields & their
sources summarized by
four equations.

James Clerk Maxwell

 Maxwells equations of
electromagnetism

The first Maxwell equation is Gausss law for

electric fields from Chapter 22:
 Maxwells equations of
electromagnetism

Total electric flux through any closed surface

equals net charge inside surface divided by o
Gauss Law - for a closed surface
Gauss Law - for a tiny volume

Divergence

Scalar value of flow in/out of small volume

Gauss Law - for a tiny volume

Divergence
Scalar value of flow in/out of small volume
Gauss Law - for a tiny volume
 Maxwells equations of
electromagnetism

The second Maxwell equation is Gausss law

for magnetic fields from Chapter 27:
 Maxwells equations of
electromagnetism
Magnetic flux through any closed surface = 0
Number of field lines that enter a closed
volume = number that leave that volume
Magnetic field lines cannot begin or end
Isolated magnetic monopoles not observed
Gauss Law - for magnetism
Gauss Law - for magnetism
Gauss Law - for magnetism

Integrate over the closed surface as

much B flux OUT as IN; net = 0!
Gauss Law - for magnetism in a
tiny volume
 Maxwells equations of
electromagnetism

The third Maxwell equation is chapter 29s

formulation of Faradays law:
 Maxwells equations of
electromagnetism
Describes creation of E field by a changing
magnetic flux
EMF = line integral of E field around closed
path = rate of change of magnetic flux through
surface bounded by that path
Current is induced in a conducting loop placed
in a time-varying B
 Faradays Law

Flux

Scalar value of field flow in/out of surface area

Faradays Law
 Divergence & Flux
Divergence (from volume)
& Flux (from surface area)
ARE related! :)
 Divergence & Flux
Divergence (from volume)
& Flux (from surface area)
ARE related! :)
Faradays Law - for a tiny volume
Faradays Law - for a tiny volume

Note ONLY electric fields induced by changing B work

here! Fields from point charges dont have a curl!
 Maxwells equations of
electromagnetism

The fourth Maxwell equation is Amperes law,

including displacement current:

2016 Pearson Education Inc.

 Maxwells equations of
electromagnetism
Describes creation of magnetic field by
electric currents and changing electric field

Line integral of magnetic field around any

closed path is the given sum

2016 Pearson Education Inc.

 Amperes Law
with Displacement Current
 Amperes Law
for a tiny volume
Maxwells equations in empty space
Maxwells equations in empty space
The Four Laws of Electromagnetism
Law Mathematical Physical
Statement Meaning

Gauss for E q How q produces E;

E dA
0
E lines begin & end on qs.

Gauss for B B dA 0 No magnetic monopole;

B lines form loops.

d B Changing B gives emf.

Faraday E dr
dt

Ampere

Moving charges give B.
(Steady I only) B dr 0 I
Ambiguity in Amperes Law
Consider B field in an RC circuit.

Amperes law: C
B dr 0 I

Current I through any open surface S bounded by C.

Current flows through surfaces 1,2,& 4.

But not 3.
Amperes law fails ( for non-steady current ).

Maxwells modification:

d E
C
B dr 0 I 0 0
dt
d E
0 Displacement current
dt
Changing E gives I , which in turn gives B.
 Maxwells Equations
Law Mathematical Physical
Statement Meaning
q
Gauss for E E dA
0
How q produces E;
E lines begin & end on qs.

Gauss for B B dA 0 No magnetic monopole;
B lines form loops.

d B
Faraday E dr
dt
Changing B gives emf.

d E
B dr 0 I 0 0
Ampere- Moving charges &
Maxwell dt changing E give B.

Maxwells Eqs (1864).

Classical electromagnetism.
 Maxwells Equations in integral form
Q 1
A E dA o o V
dV Gausss Law

A
B dA 0 Gausss Law for Magnetism

d B d Faradays Law
C E d dt dt A B dA
d E dE
C B d o Iencl oo dt o A J o dt dA
Amperes Law
Maxwells equations: integral form
Gauss's
law

Gauss's law for magnetism:

no magnetic monopole!

Ampre's law
(with Maxwell's addition)

Faraday's law of induction

(MaxwellFaraday equation)
 Maxwells Equations
Differential Form

B
E E
o t

E
B 0 B o o
t
 Implication
A magnetic field will be produced in empty space if there
is a changing electric field. (correction to Ampere)
This magnetic field will be changing. (originally there was
none!)
The changing magnetic field will produce an electric field.
(Faraday)
This changes the electric field.
This produces a new magnetic field.
This is a change in the magnetic field.
 An antenna

Hook up an
AC source

We have changed the magnetic

field near the antenna

An electric field results! This is

the start of a radiation field.
 Look at the cross section
Called:
Electromagnetic Waves
Accelerating
electric charges
give rise to
electromagnetic
waves

E and B are perpendicular (transverse)

We say that the waves are polarized.
E and B are in phase (peaks and zeros align)