Obtaining Maxwell's equations heuristically

Publikation: Beitrag in FachzeitschriftForschungsartikelBeigetragenBegutachtung

Beitragende

Abstract

Starting from the experimental fact that a moving charge experiences the Lorentz force and applying the fundamental principles of simplicity (first order derivatives only) and linearity (superposition principle), we show that the structure of the microscopic Maxwell equations for the electromagnetic fields can be deduced heuristically by using the transformation properties of the fields under space inversion and time reversal. Using the experimental facts of charge conservation and that electromagnetic waves propagate with the speed of light, together with Galilean invariance of the Lorentz force, allows us to finalize Maxwell's equations and to introduce arbitrary electrodynamics units naturally. (C) 2013 American Association of Physics Teachers. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1119/1.4768196]

Details

OriginalspracheEnglisch
Seiten (von - bis)120-123
Seitenumfang4
FachzeitschriftAmerican Journal of Physics
Jahrgang81
Ausgabenummer2
PublikationsstatusVeröffentlicht - Feb. 2013
Peer-Review-StatusJa

Externe IDs

Scopus 84872956787

Schlagworte

Schlagwörter

  • electromagnetic field theory, electromagnetic wave propagation, Maxwell equations, physics education, teaching, CONTINUITY EQUATION, INVARIANCE, FORM