How Maxwell Linked Light to Waves

Maxwell's equations show how electric and magnetic fields behave in a vacuum, or empty space. They are written as differential equations and describe fields created by source charges, whether the charges are still or moving. These fields also act on a test charge, and its motion can be found with the right boundary condition...

Consider the differential form of the four Maxwell's equations in a vacuum, which mutually relate the electric and magnetic fields.

Separate equations for the electric and magnetic fields can be found by applying the curl to both sides of the third and fourth equations, using geometrical identities, the first and second equations, the rul...