Who first formulated the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation?

James Clerk Maxwell FRS FRSE (13 June 1831 – 5 November 1879) was a Scottish scientist in the field of mathematical physics. His most notable achievement was to formulate the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation, bringing together for the first time electricity, magnetism, and light as manifestations of the same phenomenon. Maxwell's equations for electromagnetism have been called the "second great unification in physics" after the first one realised by Isaac Newton. formulate the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation, bringing together for the first time electricity, magnetism, and light as manifestations of the same phenomenon.

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14 Comments

Chip Combs

Lynne Zeman, Electricity & magnetism are two sides of the same coin. You can generate electricity by moving a wire through a magnetic field. Conversely, you can generate magnetism by sending electricity through a wire. You can also think of energy as a force that moves things. Electricity powers some cars, & magentism attracts iron to itself. Hope that helps.

Paul Darrall

Lynne Zeman, Google 'magnetic levitation'. Magnetic energy keeps the train from touching the train tracks.

Lynne Zeman

I am not a learned person. I can see the correlation between energy (electricity) light and radiation. But I am stuck at magnetic. Magnetism as an energy? The energy created by an opposing force? Help me understand, please.

Nicholas Miernicki

The explanation does not convey how incredibly important Maxwell's work was. It was the 19th Century equivalent to Einstein's Theory of Relativity,

Denise Currie

I just knew it was not the other three which left me with one option

fdeisner

Didn't he also invent the silver hammer? 🤯😄

lls

...always get Rutherford and Maxwell confused...too many years, since physics...

Jay Pees

He also was the first to produce a color photograph using three filters to photograph the three primaries then juxtaposing them to create a full color image of a Scottish ribbon.