Deriving Maxwell's Eqs from Conservation Laws: E&M Fields

  • Thread starter Thread starter Miviato
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    E&m
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on deriving Maxwell's equations from fundamental conservation laws, specifically conservation of charge, energy, and angular momentum in electromagnetic (E&M) fields. Participants emphasize the necessity of defining electromagnetic fields and charge before attempting the derivation. The field theory approach, utilizing the Lagrangian formalism with 4-vector potentials, is highlighted as a viable method for achieving this derivation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electromagnetic fields and their properties
  • Familiarity with conservation laws in physics
  • Knowledge of Lagrangian mechanics and 4-vector potentials
  • Basic grasp of field theory concepts
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of Maxwell's equations from Lagrangian mechanics
  • Explore the role of conservation laws in electromagnetic theory
  • Investigate the mathematical formulation of 4-vector potentials
  • Review the definitions and implications of charge in electromagnetic fields
USEFUL FOR

Students and researchers in physics, particularly those studying electromagnetism, theoretical physicists, and anyone interested in the foundational principles of field theory.

Miviato
Messages
11
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Can you derive Maxwell's equations from conservation of charge, energy and angular momentum for E&M fields?


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
Physics news on Phys.org
Once you are able to define these quantities, including EM fields themselves, I'm sure you can. But without Maxwell's equations, how do you even define a charge?
 
One could argue that the field theory approach, deriving Maxwell's equations from the Lagrangian with 4-vector potentials, is what you've asked about.
 

Similar threads

Maxwell's Equations: How E and B Fields Interact
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Direction of the magnetic field of an oscillating charge
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
How does the differential form of Faraday's law relate to induced current?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Finding E and B field of a weird charge distribution
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Calculate the magnetic field from the vector potential
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Laws of conservation in special relativity
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
4K
Why Do Electromagnetic Waves Propagate Independently of Their Source?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Conservation of the Laplace-Runge-Lenz vector in a Central Field
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Using Maxwell's equations to derive the continuity equation
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
6K
Hertzian diople, magnetic field and relation to Maxwell's equations
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K