Obtaining Maxwell's equations heuristically

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

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

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)120-123
Number of pages4
JournalAmerican Journal of Physics
Volume81
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - Feb 2013
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 84872956787

Keywords

Keywords

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