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Maxwell's equations (Definition)

Maxwell's equations are a set of four partial differential equations first combined by James Clerk Maxwell. They may also be written as integral equations. Two other important equations, the electromagnetic wave equation and the equation of conservation of charge, may be derived from them.

Notation

As this article considers merely the mathematical aspects of the equations, natural units have been used throughout. For their use in physics see any classical electromagnetism textbook. $$ \mathbf{E} = \mbox{Electric field strength} $$ $$ \mathbf{B} = \mbox{Magnetic flux density} $$

Gauss' Law of Electrostatics

$$ \nabla \cdot \mathbf{E} = 0 $$ $$ \oint_S \mathbf{E} \cdot \mathrm{d}\mathbf{S} = 0 $$

Gauss' Law of Magnetostatics

$$ \nabla \cdot \mathbf{B} = 0 $$ $$ \oint_S \mathbf{B} \cdot \mathrm{d}\mathbf{S} = 0 $$

Faraday's Law

Differential form $$ \nabla \times \mathbf{E} = -\frac{ \partial \mathbf{B}}{\partial t} $$ Integral form $$ \oint_{C} \mathbf{E} \cdot \mathrm{d}\mathbf{l} = - \frac{\mathrm{d}}{\mathrm{d} t} \left( \int_{S} \mathbf{B} \cdot \mathrm{d}\mathbf{S} \right) $$

Ampère's Law

Differential form $$ \nabla \times \mathbf{B} = \frac{ \partial \mathbf{E}}{\partial t} $$ Integral form $$ \oint_C \mathbf{B} \cdot \mathrm{d}\mathbf{l} = \int_S \frac{\partial \mathbf{E}}{\partial t} \cdot \mathrm{d} \mathbf{S} $$

Properties of Maxwell's Equations

These four equations together have several interesting properties:




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See Also: partial differential equation

Also defines:  Faraday's Law, Ampere's Law, Gauss' Law of Electrostatics, Gauss' Law of Magnetostatics

Attachments:
derivation of wave equation from Maxwell's equations (Derivation) by invisiblerhino
derivation of Coulomb's Law from Gauss' Law (Derivation) by invisiblerhino
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Cross-references: variables, transformation, gauge, potentials, solenoidal, irrotational, fields, properties, integral, differential form, units, wave equation, equations, integral equations, partial differential equations
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This is version 25 of Maxwell's equations, born on 2008-02-26, modified 2008-04-21.
Object id is 10336, canonical name is MaxwellsEquations.
Accessed 3678 times total.

Classification:
AMS MSC35Q60 (Partial differential equations :: Equations of mathematical physics and other areas of application :: Equations of electromagnetic theory and optics)
 78A25 (Optics, electromagnetic theory :: General :: Electromagnetic theory, general)

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