Maxwell

Definition

James Clerk Maxwell was a 19th-century physicist who formulated the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation. His equations describe how electric and magnetic fields propagate, interact, and influence each other.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Maxwell's equations unify electricity, magnetism, and light as different manifestations of the same phenomenon.
2. He predicted the existence of electromagnetic waves that travel at the speed of light.
3. His work laid the foundation for modern physics, including quantum mechanics and relativity.
4. Maxwell's equations contributed to understanding how light behaves as both a wave and a particle.
5. The cosmic microwave background radiation observed in the Big Bang theory can be explained using principles derived from Maxwell's equations.

Review Questions

• What fundamental force did Maxwell's equations unify?
• How did Maxwell's prediction about electromagnetic waves contribute to our understanding of light?
• Why are Maxwell's equations crucial for explaining the cosmic microwave background radiation?

Related terms

Electromagnetic Waves:

Waves of electric and magnetic fields that propagate through space.

Cosmic Microwave Background Radiation:

Thermal radiation left over from the Big Bang, observable today as a faint glow in all directions.

Quantum Mechanics:

A fundamental theory in physics describing physical properties on very small scales, such as particles at atomic levels.