Re: Maxwel's Equations
Summary
DelD = ρ
DelB = 0
CurlE = -∂B/∂t
CurlH = J + ∂D/∂t
For free space, eliminating the nonphysical quantities D and H, this reduces to:
DelE = ρ/ε0
DelB = 0
CurlE = -∂B/∂t
CurlB = μ0J + μ0ε0∂E/∂t
Simplifying further, by considering the case in the absence of imposed current or electric charge, gives the propagation equation for electromagnetic waves in free space:
DelE = 0
Del·B = 0
CurlE = -∂B/∂t
CurlB = μ0ε0∂E/∂t
This equation has a simple solution in terms of traveling sinusoidal plane waves, traveling at the speed (μ0ε0)-1/2.
Maxwell's observation that μ0ε0 = √c, relating the speed of light c to the permittivity and permeability of free space, was the first confirmation that light was electromagnetic radiation.