James Clerk Maxwell - Formulated the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation

09/08/2025 4 min
James Clerk Maxwell - Formulated the classical theory of electromagnetic radiation

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Episode Synopsis

This episode highlights James Clerk Maxwell, the Scottish physicist whose work unified electricity, magnetism, and light into the single theory of electromagnetism. In the 1860s, Maxwell developed his famous Maxwell’s equations, which showed that electric and magnetic fields are interrelated and propagate as waves traveling at the speed of light—leading to the groundbreaking realization that light itself is an electromagnetic wave. His insights laid the foundation for modern communications, from radio to wireless technology, and influenced later scientific breakthroughs, including Einstein’s theory of relativity. Maxwell also contributed to kinetic theory, statistical mechanics, and color photography. Though he died young, his vision transformed physics into a unified science and continues to shape our technological world today.

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