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Maxwell's Theory of Electromagnetism Theoretical physics had made significant progress befor6 Einstein. In particular, James Clerk Maxwell (1831-79) had unified magnetism with electricity to give electromagnetism. By means of four equations, Maxwell explained all the different manifestations of electricity and magnetism - from the emission of light and electric currents to the earth's magnetic field. Maxwell's equations linked the electric and magnetic fields to each other and showed how each of their various manifestations arose as special cases of a general theory. 8
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Simple magnetic fields can occur when there is no electric field (and vice versa). But, in general, if the intensity of an electric field varies in time, it will generate magnetic fields . .. and vice versa. This happens in the case of light, which consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields propagating through space and time - at the speed of light. The unification that Maxwell achieved is thus similar conceptually to that of Newton when Newton realized that the force acting on the apple is the same as that holding the earth in orbit around the sun. 9

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Maxwell's Theory of Electromagnetism

Theoretical physics had made significant progress befor6 Einstein. In particular, James Clerk Maxwell (1831-79) had unified magnetism with electricity to give electromagnetism.

By means of four equations, Maxwell explained all the different manifestations of electricity and magnetism - from the emission of light and electric currents to the earth's magnetic field. Maxwell's equations linked the electric and magnetic fields to each other and showed how each of their various manifestations arose as special cases of a general theory.

8

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