Maxwell's equations are a set of four fundamental laws that describe how electric and magnetic fields interact and propagate. These equations are crucial in understanding classical electromagnetism, optics, and electric circuits. Here are the four Maxwell's equations in both their integral and differential forms:
### 1. Gauss's Law for Electricity
**Statement:** The electric flux through a closed surface is proportional to the total electric charge enclosed within that surface.
- **Integral Form:**
\[
\oint_{\partial V} \mathbf{E} \cdot d\mathbf{A} = \frac{Q_{\text{enclosed}}}{\varepsilon_0}
\]
where:
- \(\mathbf{E}\) is the electric field,
- \(d\mathbf{A}\) is a vector representing an infinitesimal area on the closed surface \( \partial V \),
- \(Q_{\text{enclosed}}\) is the total charge enclosed within the surface,
- \(\varepsilon_0\) is the permittivity of free space.
- **Differential Form:**
\[
\nabla \cdot \mathbf{E} = \frac{\rho}{\varepsilon_0}
\]
where:
- \(\nabla \cdot \mathbf{E}\) is the divergence of the electric field,
- \(\rho\) is the charge density.
### 2. Gauss's Law for Magnetism
**Statement:** The magnetic flux through a closed surface is zero, which implies that magnetic monopoles do not exist.
- **Integral Form:**
\[
\oint_{\partial V} \mathbf{B} \cdot d\mathbf{A} = 0
\]
where:
- \(\mathbf{B}\) is the magnetic field.
- **Differential Form:**
\[
\nabla \cdot \mathbf{B} = 0
\]
where:
- \(\nabla \cdot \mathbf{B}\) is the divergence of the magnetic field.
### 3. Faraday's Law of Induction
**Statement:** A time-varying magnetic field induces an electromotive force (EMF) and, consequently, an electric field.
- **Integral Form:**
\[
\oint_{\partial S} \mathbf{E} \cdot d\mathbf{l} = -\frac{d}{dt} \int_{S} \mathbf{B} \cdot d\mathbf{A}
\]
where:
- \( \mathbf{E} \) is the electric field,
- \( d\mathbf{l} \) is a differential length element along the closed loop \( \partial S \),
- \( S \) is the surface bounded by \( \partial S \),
- \( \mathbf{B} \) is the magnetic field.
- **Differential Form:**
\[
\nabla \times \mathbf{E} = -\frac{\partial \mathbf{B}}{\partial t}
\]
where:
- \( \nabla \times \mathbf{E} \) is the curl of the electric field,
- \( \frac{\partial \mathbf{B}}{\partial t} \) is the time rate of change of the magnetic field.
### 4. Ampère's Law (with Maxwell's Correction)
**Statement:** Magnetic fields are generated by electric currents and by changing electric fields.
- **Integral Form:**
\[
\oint_{\partial S} \mathbf{B} \cdot d\mathbf{l} = \mu_0 \left( I_{\text{enclosed}} + \varepsilon_0 \frac{d}{dt} \int_{S} \mathbf{E} \cdot d\mathbf{A} \right)
\]
where:
- \(\mathbf{B}\) is the magnetic field,
- \( d\mathbf{l} \) is a differential length element along the closed loop \( \partial S \),
- \( I_{\text{enclosed}} \) is the current enclosed by the loop,
- \(\mu_0\) is the permeability of free space.
- **Differential Form:**
\[
\nabla \times \mathbf{B} = \mu_0 \mathbf{J} + \mu_0 \varepsilon_0 \frac{\partial \mathbf{E}}{\partial t}
\]
where:
- \( \nabla \times \mathbf{B} \) is the curl of the magnetic field,
- \( \mathbf{J} \) is the current density,
- \( \frac{\partial \mathbf{E}}{\partial t} \) is the time rate of change of the electric field.
### Summary
Maxwell's equations describe the behavior of electric and magnetic fields and their interactions with matter. These laws unify the concepts of electricity, magnetism, and light, providing a comprehensive framework for classical electromagnetism.