Waveguide: get I and II M.eq. from III and IV M.eq.

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the derivation of Maxwell's equations in a waveguide context, specifically how to obtain the divergence equations from the curl equations. The equations in question are ##\nabla \cdot E=0## and ##\nabla \cdot B=0##, which are valid under the assumption of no sources. The user initially confused the equations, mistakenly equating vector and scalar forms. The clarification emphasizes that vectors cannot equal scalars, reinforcing the importance of correctly identifying the nature of the equations involved.

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  • Understanding of Maxwell's equations in electromagnetism
  • Familiarity with vector calculus concepts
  • Knowledge of waveguide theory and propagation
  • Proficiency in using Cartesian coordinates for field representation
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  • Study the derivation of Maxwell's equations in different coordinate systems
  • Explore wave propagation in waveguides using MATLAB or Python
  • Learn about boundary conditions in electromagnetic theory
  • Investigate the implications of divergence and curl in vector fields
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Physicists, electrical engineers, and students studying electromagnetism or waveguide theory will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the mathematical foundations of Maxwell's equations.

crick
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Consider a waveguide with axis parallel to axis ##z##. Using cartesian coordinates the fields inside the waveguide can be written as
Immaginiie.png

Where ##\alpha## is the wavenumber and ##k=\frac{\omega}{c}## .

The maxwell equations ##\nabla \times E=-\frac{\partial B}{\partial t}## and ##\nabla \times B=\epsilon \mu \frac{\partial E}{\partial t}## are written in components as

Immaginke.png
##\tag{(A)}##While the maxwell equations ##\nabla \cdot E=-\frac{\partial B}{\partial t}## and ##\nabla \cdot B=\epsilon \mu \frac{\partial E}{\partial t}## are written in components as

Immagikne.png

##\tag{(B)}##

On textboox it is claimed that equations ##B## are not useful, since they can obtained from equations ##A##. So how to obtain equations ##B## using equations ##A##?
 
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crick said:
∇×E=−∂B/∂t

crick said:
∇⋅E=−∂B/∂t
Are these both true? One should be a vector and one a scalar.
 
Of course, they are not true since
$$\vec{\nabla} \cdot \vec{E}=0, \quad \vec{\nabla} \cdot \vec{B}=0.$$
A vector can never ever be equal to a scalar!
 
mjc123 said:
Are these both true? One should be a vector and one a scalar.
vanhees71 said:
Of course, they are not true since
$$\vec{\nabla} \cdot \vec{E}=0, \quad \vec{\nabla} \cdot \vec{B}=0.$$
A vector can never ever be equal to a scalar!

EDIT OF THE QUESTION: I apologize, I made a mistake, I intended to write the first two maxwell equations, that are ##\nabla \cdot E=0## and ##\nabla \cdot B=0## (if there are no sources). ##E## and ##B## are intended to be vectors.
 
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