How did Maxwell come to the conclusion that light was electromagnetic in nature and why did he gave up his concept of displacement current that we even use today?

Tapan K. Sarkar, Walid Dyab, Magdalena Salazar Palma

Research output: Chapter in Book/Entry/PoemConference contribution

Abstract

The two historical topics that are so fundamental in electromagnetic education are addressed in this talk. It is not well recognized that Maxwell reached the conclusion light was electromagnetic in nature before he wrote his 20 equations which were reduced to the four that we use today by Hertz and Heaviside. In addition, Maxwell did not have the boundary conditions to solve his equations. The talk will illustrate the historical evolution of Maxwell's thoughts and his famous conclusion. In addition, it is not recognized that that the genius of Maxwell was that he would work on a problem, stop, and give a gap of few years and start on that topic using a different starting point and take it to a higher level. He did it thrice with el3ectromagnetic theory. The concept of displacement current was the result of his thinking at the first stage and when he came to the second stage of writing up his treatise he has completely given up his mechanical model and started directly from his equations. I think it is high time we do the same.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2014 USNC-URSI Radio Science Meeting (Joint with AP-S Symposium), USNC-URSI 2014 - Proceedings
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages281
Number of pages1
ISBN (Electronic)9781479937462
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 12 2014
Event2014 USNC-URSI Radio Science Meeting (Joint with AP-S Symposium), USNC-URSI 2014 - Memphis, United States
Duration: Jul 6 2014Jul 11 2014

Publication series

Name2014 USNC-URSI Radio Science Meeting (Joint with AP-S Symposium), USNC-URSI 2014 - Proceedings

Other

Other2014 USNC-URSI Radio Science Meeting (Joint with AP-S Symposium), USNC-URSI 2014
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityMemphis
Period7/6/147/11/14

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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