A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism

Volume 2 of Maxwell's 1873 influential contribution to physics covers magnetism and electromagnetism, including the electromagnetic theory of light.

Published in 1873, A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism is a pivotal work by James Clerk Maxwell that significantly advanced the understanding of electromagnetic theory. This two-volume textbook meticulously compiles the experimental and theoretical advancements in electricity and magnetism up to that time. In the second volume, Maxwell delves into the intricacies of magnetism and electromagnetism, offering insights into the electromagnetic theory of light, magnetic action on light, and the electric theory of magnetism.

Maxwell's contributions are foundational, as he was among the first to demonstrate that electricity, magnetism, and light are interconnected manifestations of the electromagnetic field. His groundbreaking equations, which consist of four partial differential equations, elegantly relate electric and magnetic fields to their sources, charge density, and current density. This work not only solidified his reputation as a scientist but also laid the groundwork for future developments in physics, influencing the trajectory of the field into the twentieth century.

As the first Cavendish Professor of Physics at Cambridge, Maxwell's legacy continues to resonate in modern physics. A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism remains an essential reference for students and scholars alike, providing a comprehensive and methodical introduction to the principles that govern electromagnetic phenomena.