Maxwell's Equations: Explanation in Words

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation of Maxwell's equations in non-mathematical terms, seeking to understand their meanings and implications, as well as their relationship to phenomena such as the interaction between current-carrying wires.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests a verbal explanation of Maxwell's equations, emphasizing a desire for conceptual understanding rather than mathematical formulation.
  • Another participant suggests consulting a library article on Maxwell's equations for additional insights.
  • A participant provides a classical interpretation of the equations, explaining concepts such as electric flux, magnetic flux, and the relationship between changing electric and magnetic fields, while noting the symmetry between electricity and magnetism.
  • Questions arise regarding which of Maxwell's equations describes the attraction or repulsion between current-carrying wires, with one participant asserting that none of the equations directly address this phenomenon.
  • A later reply references the Lorentz force law as a complementary equation that describes the forces on the wires, indicating that Maxwell's equations can be used to derive related outcomes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on which equation addresses the interaction between wires; there is acknowledgment that Maxwell's equations do not directly state this, but they can be used to derive related effects.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the direct applicability of Maxwell's equations to the specific scenario of wire interactions, as well as the dependence on additional concepts like the Lorentz force law.

eranb2
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Hi

What do the 4 equations say in words?
not in math but in words that explains the meaning of them.


thanks
 
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Try having a look at our Library Article: Maxwell's equations and see if that helps.
 
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Their meaning is expanded through a quantum view, but classically: The total electric flux through any closed surface equals the net charge inside divide by the permittivity. The net magnetic flux through a closed surface is zero (magnetic fields are essentially found as dipoles of North and South; monopoles have not yet been detected). A changing magnetic field induces a propagating electric field, whereas a changing electric field induces a magnetic field (hence when you have moving charges, current, you have a magnetic field---when reviewing displacement currents, note that they tell that a magnetic field is induced that is continuous to that of the conventional current).

One of the points of Maxwell's equations is to show the symmetry between electricity and magnetism...hence you have two concepts of the same phenomenon: electromagnetism
 
another question,
if in two wires the current flows in the same direction - attraction
not the same direction - rejection.

which one of maxwell equations says that?
 
As far as I know, none of Maxwell's equations say that. However, a complementary equation - the Lorentz force law - states what will happen to the wire. For reference, the Lorentz law is:

[tex]\vec{F} = q\left(\vec{E} + \vec{v}\times \vec{B} \right)[/tex]
 
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eranb2 said:
another question,
if in two wires the current flows in the same direction - attraction
not the same direction - rejection.

which one of maxwell equations says that?

Archduke is right...they do not directly show such...but you can use the equations to show what happens.
 

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