Maxwell's Equations and Electromagnetic Waves

Maxwell's equations and
Electromagnetic waves:
by-Deepak Kumar Madhokar
M.Sc. First semester Physics
Session-2018-19
SGRR PG College Dehradun
Major events in the history of
electromagnetism
1770-90 –Cavendish and Coulomb establish
foundations of electrostatics
1820 –Oersted makes connection between flowing charge
and magnetism
1820s -Ampere identifies currents as the source of all
magnetism (even permanent magnets)
1831-Faraday (also Henry ) discovers that time varying
magnetic fields serve as sources for electric fields
1864-Maxwell puts it all together
1887-Hertz demonstrates existence of electromagnetic
radiation
Four basic laws in
electromagnetism
q
Gauss’ Law for Electrostatics  E  dA  
0
Gauss’ Law for Magnetism  B  dA  0

d
Faraday’s Law of Induction  E  dl  
dt
B
Ampere’s Law  B  dl  0 I
Inconsistency in Ampere’s law
Ampere’s law was only for steady states
Maxwell’s Equations
Maxwell’s First Equation and its physical
significance
Maxwell’s first steady state equation gives
The physical significance of this equation

1) Steady state equation independent of time.
2) The flux lines of electric force depend upon charge density ρ .
3) ρ the charge density is a scalar quantity.
4) The positive charge acts as a source and negative charge as a
sink for electric
Second equation and its physical
significance
It is a steady state equation and gives
The physical significance of this equation is

1)Steady state equation independent of time.
2)Isolated magnetic poles do not exist.
3)Equal numbers of lines of magnetic force enter and
leave a given volume.
4)Lines of Magnetic force are endless i.e. there is no source
or sink for lines of magnetic force.
The third equation and its physical
significance
Maxwell’s first time varying equation is
It is time dependent equation varying with time .

It relates the space variation of E with time variation of
B.
It gives the relation between electric field vector E and
magnetic field vector B.
It is statement of Faraday’s and Lenz’s law of
electromagnetic induction.
Fourth equation and its physical significance
Equation is
It is time dependent equation and relates the space

variation of B with time variation of D or E .
It relates the magnetic field vector B with electric
displacement vector D and current density J.
It is a statement of Ampere’s law
According to this equation magnetic field vector B can
be generated by current density vector J and time
variation of D or E jointly as well as separetly.
Electromagnetic waves
Introduction to electromagnetic wave
Electromagnetic waves are produced by Oscillating moving charge.
Any moving electric charge is surrounded by an electric field and
magnetic field.
A changing magnetic field creates a changing electric field and vice versa.
The electric and magnetic field creates each other again and again and
hence the electromagnetic wave is produced.
Electromagnetic waves propagates in all direction.
Oscillating moving charge produces electromagnetic radiation.
The electromagnetic radiation is propagates in the form of
electromagnetic waves.
Characteristics of Electromagnetic Waves
Electromagnetic waves propagate in the form of
varying electric field and magnetic filed. These two
field (E and B) are mutually perpendicular to each
other and also perpendicular to the direction of
propagation of electromagnetic waves .
EM waves do not require material medium for their
propagation. They Can travel through vacuum.
EM waves may be reflected, refracted, transmitted , or
absorbed (or partially reflected, transmitted or
absorbed) depending on the nature of surface and the
frequency of wave.
EM waves , travel in vacuum with a velocity c =300,000
km/s .
The energy in EM waves is divided equally between
the electric and magnetic field vectors.
The cross product E X B always give the direction of
propagation of EM waves.
EM waves carry momentum . Hence they ate able to
exert pressure on the incident surface .
EM waves transport energy from one region to another
. The rate of energy flow per unit area or power flow
per unit area ( vector S) is given by Pointing vector as
Equation of Electromagnetic wave
EM waves equation is given by
Types of Electromagnetic Waves
There are 7 types of EM waves according to their
frequencies and wavelength.
They are Radio Waves, Infrared, Visible light ,
ultraviolet, x rays and gamma rays.
Wavelengths and frequencies of EM waves
Uses of Electromagnetic waves
Radio Waves (communications)
TV and FM radio (short wavelength)
Direct line of sight with transmitter (do not diffract)
Medium wavelength – travel further because they
reflect from layers in the atmosphere
Satellite signals (Microwaves)
Frequency of microwaves pass easily through
atmosphere and clouds
Uses of electromagnetic waves
X-rays
X-rays detect bone breaks
X-rays pass through flesh but not dense material like bones
Dangers: X-rays damage cells and cause cancers.
Radiographer precautions include wearing lead aprons and
standing behind a lead screen to minimise exposure
Gamma Rays
Gamma Rays cause and treat cancers
In high doses, gamma can kill normal cells and cause cancers
Gamma can be used to kill mutated cells though too.
Conclusion
Maxwell’s equation unified electricity and magnetism
and revolutionized the thinking of human towards the
world.
Because of the Maxwell’s equation EM waves was
discovered .
Both these discoveries gave rise to the modern
communication.

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Maxwell's equations and

Gauss’ Law for Magnetism  B  dA  0

The physical significance of this equation

The physical significance of this equation is

It is time dependent equation varying with time .

It is time dependent equation and relates the space

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