Explicit definitions of electric and magnetic fields in potentials and derivation of Maxwell's equations

Authors
Citation
Cc. Su, Explicit definitions of electric and magnetic fields in potentials and derivation of Maxwell's equations, EUR J PHYS, 22(3), 2001, pp. L5-L8
Citations number
3
Categorie Soggetti
Physics
Journal title
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICS
ISSN journal
01430807 → ACNP
Volume
22
Issue
3
Year of publication
2001
Pages
L5 - L8
Database
ISI
SICI code
0143-0807(200105)22:3<L5:EDOEAM>2.0.ZU;2-6
Abstract
Based on the Lorentz force law given directly in terms of the scalar and th e vector potentials, electric and magnetic fields are defined explicitly in terms of the potentials. These are in turn defined explicitly in terms of charge and current densities, respectively. The divergence and the curl rel ations of the two fields thus defined are just Maxwell's equations. The exp licitness of the formulae provides a clearer way to understand the physical meanings of electric and magnetic fields.