1.

Electrodynamics

Maxwell equations &

Electromagnetic waves
 Field
Physical Quantity ?
Field is a spatial distribution of a physical quantity. A field is a
region of space in which each point has a physical quantity
associated with it. It can be either scalar or vector in nature.

Region in space, every point of which is associated with a scalar

quantity is known as scalar field.
Ex. electric potential,temperature field, pressure field ,
gravitational potential etc.

Region in space, each point of which is characterized by a vector

quantity is known as vector field.
Ex. electric field, gravitation field, magnetic field , magnetic
potential etc.
 Vector differential Operator Del 
 The vector differential Operator Del is a mathematical tool which
has no direct physical meaning and is represented by

The del operator acquires significance only when operated upon

another function.

It is not a vector quantity in itself, but it may operate on various

scalar or vector fields. It is a vector operator.
Gradient of a scalar function
Physical Significance of Gradient
The gradient is a fancy word for a derivative, or the
maximum rate of change of a scalar function with respect
to position vector. It is a vector that points in the direction
of greatest increase of a function and is normal to the
surface.
Divergence of a vector field
Physical Significance of divergences
Divergence of a vector field (div. ) is given
by the limiting ratio of the closed surface
integral of the field to the volume enclosed by
that surface when the volume tends to zero.

The divergence of vector field is defined as the net flux

per unit volume (volume density) from a point through a closed
surface S drawn around that point.
The div. A at a point is a measure of how much the vector A
spread outs.
If Divergence of vector field is zero , then the
fielt is also termed as Solenoidal Field
Curl of a vector field
The Curl of a vector field is defined as the limiting ratio
of the closed curve (line) integral of the vector field
(maximum circulation vector) to the surface enclosed by
that curve when the area tends to zero i.e.
Physical Significance of Curl:
The maximum value of the circulation density evaluated at
a point in the vector field is known as curl of vector field.
The rotation with maximum value is known as curl and is a
vector quantity. Thus curl of vector field signifies the
whirling nature or circulation of the vector field (A) around
any point O.
The direction of the curl is the
axis of rotation, as determined
by the right-hand rule, and the
magnitude of the curl is the
magnitude of rotation

Conservative (irrotational) Fields

 For a conservative vector field ,
CURL OF THE FIELD IS ZERO
Gauss Divergence Theorem
This Theorem helps to transform a surface integral into
volume integral.
It states that the surface integral of any vector field
through a closed surface is equal to volume integral of the
divergence of vector field taken over the volume enclosed
by the closed surface.
Mathematically,
 Numerical
 Given that is the

theorem find the value of ∯ 𝑟⃗. 𝑑𝑠

position vector. Using Gauss’s divergence
Stoke’s Theorem

It states that line integral of the tangential component of a

vector field A over a closed path is equal to the surface
integral of the normal component of the curl A on the
surface enclosed by path.
Mathematically,
 Numerical
point in space, then prove that ∮ 𝑟⃗. 𝑑𝑟⃗ = 0
 If is the position vector of a
 Numerical
 Prove that 𝐴⃗ = 𝑦𝑧𝑖ˆ + 𝑥𝑧𝑗ˆ + 𝑥𝑦𝑘ˆ
is both irrotational and solenoidal
 If F = 3x2 y-y3z2 , find the value of
gradient of the function F at point
(1, -2, -1).
 Green’s Theorem
 Green's theorem gives the relationship between
a line integral around a simple closed curve C and
a double integral over the plane region D bounded
by C.
 If L and M are functions of (x, y) defined on an
open region containing D and having continuous
partial derivatives there, then
 Mathematically
M L

C
Ldx  Mdy 
D
( 
x y
)dxdy

* Note: Here curve C has a positive orientation if it is traced out in a

counter-clockwise direction
Equation of Continuity
 Maxwell’s equations
Maxwell's equations are a set James Clerk Maxwell, one of the
of four partial world's greatest physicists, was
differential equations that, Professor of Natural Philosophy at
together with the King's from 1860 to 1865. It was
Lorentz force law, form the during this period that he
foundation of demonstrated that magnetism,
electricity and light were different
classical electrodynamics,
manifestations of the same
classical optics, and fundamental laws, and described all
electrical circuits. These these, as well as radio waves, radar,
fields in turn underlie and radiant heat, through his unique
modern electrical and and elegant system of equations.
communications These calculations were crucial to
technologies. Maxwell's Albert Einstein in his production of
equations describe how the theory of relativity 40 years later,
electric and magnetic fields and led Einstein to comment that
'One scientific epoch ended and
are generated and altered by
another began with James Clerk
each other and by charges Maxwell'.
and currents. They are
Maxwell’s

equations
These equations describe the electric and magnetic fields arising from
distributions of electric charges and currents, and how those fields change in
time.
 They are the mathematical distillation of decades of experimental
observations of the electric and magnetic effects of charges and currents,
plus the profound intuition of Michael Faraday.
 Maxwell's own contribution to these equations is just the last term of the
last equation -- but the addition of that term had dramatic consequences. It
made evident for the first time that varying electric and magnetic fields
could feed off each other -- these fields could propagate indefinitely through
space, far from the varying charges and currents where they originated.
 Previously these fields had been envisioned as tethered to the charges and
currents giving rise to them. Maxwell's new term (called the displacement
current) freed them to move through space in a self-sustaining fashion, and
even predicted their velocity -- it was the velocity of light!
 These equations have the same importance like the Newton's laws of
motion in mechanics and the laws of thermodynamics in thermodynamics.
Maxwell’s equations
Maxwell 1st Equation:
Significance of max well Ist equation
Maxwell 2nd Equation:
Maxwell 3rd Equation:
Writing Faraday’s law, Φ is the Magnetic Flux within a
circuit,
The flux linked with a Significance of Maxwell’s
closed circuit third equation
The emf across a closed circuit (i) It summarizes the
is also given as the work done in Faraday’s law of
moving a unit +ve charge electromagnetic induction.
completely through the circuit (ii) This equation relates
i.e. line integral of electric field the space variation of
electric field with time
From the Ist
two eqns. variation of magnetic field
(iii) It is time dependent
differential equation.
(iv) It proves that the
electric field can be
generated by change in
magnetic field
Maxwell 4th Equation:
According to Ampere’s
Now taking divergence on both sides
Law the current enclosed
by a closed curve

From the Stoke’s theorem However this is true for steady

currents only. For varying currents
If J is the current density
of a varying current
distribution with in a
closed curve enclosing Maxwell therefore, modified Ampere’s
area S, the current Law taking under consideration the
equation of continuity or the concept
then of displacement current .

Writing gauss law in

differential form
 Also Significance of Maxwell’s
fourth equation
(i) It summarizes the modified form
Differentiating of Ampere’s ciruital law.
w.r.t. time (ii) It is time dependent differential
equation.
Adding (iii) It relates the space variation of
on both sides magnetic field with time variation o
electric field
(iv) It also proves that magnetic
field can be generated by changing
electric field
But

Maxwell therefore, suggested

that J in eq. Must be
replaced by To give

Also
Propagation of Electromagnetic Wave In Free Space
(eq. of Electromagnetic Wave In Free Space)
Writing Maxwell equations In free space (=0 and J=0). The
Maxwell’s Equations then can be
written as
 What , why & How??????
 Define : Curl, Divergence & Gradient  Derive differential Maxwell
 Explain the physical significance: Curl, equations. Also write their
Divergence & Gradient physical significances.
 Write the expression for Del-operator  Derive the equations for
 Write continuity equation and its electromagnetic wave
physical significance propagation in free space
 Derive an equation which express using Maxwell equations,
conservation of charge in a localized and hence calculate the
volume. value of c (velocity of light).
 Write Maxwell equations in both
 Write Stoke’s and
differential and integral form
Divergence’ theorems.
 Which Maxwell's equations indicates
that there are no magnetic  What are the conditions for
monopoles? irrotational, solenoidal and
 The electromagnetic waves having conservative fields, resp.?
longest wavelength is_____________  The eq which relates spatial
 Which Maxwell's equations shows variation of magnetic field
that charge can act as source or sink with time variation of the
to the electric flux? electric field is ___________.
 The divergence of curl of a vector is  The equation of continuity
always___________. mainly related
 Find the odd one out: (a) temperature with____________.
(b) pressure (c) speed (d) velocity