Electromagnetism

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How do I get started?

Maxwell’s Equations

The story of our understanding of light has to be one of the most fascinating in physics. These equations represent and important chapter in that story. It was way back in 1865 that Maxwell first proposed the existence of “electromagnetic waves” and calculated their speed, finding the measured speed of light. Although he did not write the equations in exactly this form, Maxwell had captured what was know about electricity and magnetism in a few elegant formulas and had explained light in an entirely new way.

Today we use these equations in many contexts in physics and in technology. Part and parcel of our understanding of light, they also govern the broadcast nd reception of radio, TV, and cell phone signals.

How do I get started?

As a physics student at Victoria University you will first encounter electromagnetism in PHYS 115 which students often take in their second term at Victoria. You’ll go on to study electricity and magnetism in stage two and stage three, and the ideas will be used throughout your coursework.