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Maxwell's Equations & Displacement Current | Physics Class 12 - NEET PDF Download

Students are introduced to Maxwell's equations and the concept of displacement current. Maxwell's equations are usually covered as part of the study of electromagnetism in higher degrees. In this document, we will cover the introductory idea of Maxwell's equation and displacement current. 

Maxwell's Equations

Maxwell's equations are a set of four fundamental equations that describe the behavior of electric and magnetic fields. These equations were formulated by James Clerk Maxwell in the 19th century and are crucial for understanding electromagnetism. 

James MaxwellJames Maxwell

Maxwell's equations are as follows:

1. Gauss's Law for Electricity: 

Gauss's law for electricity states that the electric flux through a closed surface is proportional to the charge enclosed within that surface. Mathematically, it is expressed as:

Maxwell`s Equations & Displacement Current | Physics Class 12 - NEET

  • E is the electric field.
  • ρ is the charge density.
  • �0ε0 is the permittivity of free space.

2. Gauss's Law for Magnetism:

Gauss's law for magnetism states that the magnetic flux through a closed surface is zero, indicating that magnetic monopoles do not exist. Mathematically, it is given by:
Maxwell`s Equations & Displacement Current | Physics Class 12 - NEET

      B is the magnetic field.

3. Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction:

Faraday's law states that a changing magnetic field over time creates an electric field. This is the principle behind electromagnetic induction, which is the working mechanism of transformers, inductors, and many types of electrical generators and motors. The equation is: 

Maxwell`s Equations & Displacement Current | Physics Class 12 - NEET

where symbols have the usual meaning 

4. Ampère's Law with Maxwell's Addition:

Ampère's law relates the magnetic field around a closed loop to the electric current passing through the loop. Maxwell added a term to this law to account for the displacement current, making it consistent with the continuity equation. The modified equation is:

Maxwell`s Equations & Displacement Current | Physics Class 12 - NEET

where J is the current density and 

Maxwell`s Equations & Displacement Current | Physics Class 12 - NEET

Question for Maxwell's Equations & Displacement Current
Try yourself:Which set of equations comprehensively describes the behavior of electric and magnetic fields?
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Displacement Current

  • The concept of displacement current was introduced by Maxwell to address the inconsistencies in Ampère's law when applied to capacitors. Displacement current is not a current in the traditional sense, as it does not involve the movement of charge carriers. Instead, it represents a changing electric field in a region of space.
  • Imagine you have a special kind of electricity called "displacement current." This concept is part of Maxwell's equations, which describe how electricity works. To understand displacement current, think about a capacitor, which is like a special electric storage device.
  • When a capacitor starts charging, there is no conduction of charge between the plates. However, because of the change in charge accumulation with time above the plates, the electric field changes causing the displacement current as below:

Displacement current in a capacitorDisplacement current in a capacitor

           ID = JDS=S(∂D/∂t)

           Where,

             S is the area of the capacitor plate.

             ID is the displacement current.

            JD  is the displacement current density.

             D is related to electric field E as D = εE

              ε is the permittivity of the medium in between the plates.

  • Now, displacement current is basically how fast the electric stuff inside the capacitor is changing. We measure this change using something called the electric displacement field (D). So, displacement current is just a way to describe the quick changes happening in the electric field inside a capacitor.

Question for Maxwell's Equations & Displacement Current
Try yourself:
What is displacement current?
View Solution

Summary

Maxwell's equations provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the interplay between electric and magnetic fields and how they are influenced by charges and currents in space. The addition of the displacement current term ensures that these equations are consistent and describe electromagnetic phenomena accurately.

The document Maxwell's Equations & Displacement Current | Physics Class 12 - NEET is a part of the NEET Course Physics Class 12.
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FAQs on Maxwell's Equations & Displacement Current - Physics Class 12 - NEET

1. What are Maxwell's Equations?
Ans. Maxwell's Equations are a set of four fundamental equations in electromagnetism that describe how electric and magnetic fields interact and behave in the presence of electric charges and currents.
2. What is the significance of Maxwell's Equations in physics?
Ans. Maxwell's Equations are crucial in understanding the behavior of electromagnetic fields, light, and radio waves. They provide a complete framework for studying electromagnetism and have played a key role in the development of modern physics.
3. What is the Displacement Current in Maxwell's Equations?
Ans. The Displacement Current is a term introduced by Maxwell to account for the changing electric fields in a region even in the absence of actual charge movement. It helps complete Ampère's law and is a key component of electromagnetic theory.
4. How does the Displacement Current relate to electromagnetic waves?
Ans. The Displacement Current plays a crucial role in the generation and propagation of electromagnetic waves. It provides a link between changing electric fields and magnetic fields, allowing for the transmission of energy through space in the form of electromagnetic radiation.
5. How do Maxwell's Equations and the Displacement Current impact technology today?
Ans. Maxwell's Equations and the concept of Displacement Current form the foundation of modern technologies such as telecommunications, electronics, and wireless communication. Understanding these principles is essential for the design and operation of various devices and systems in our daily lives.
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