Physical Significance of Maxwell's Equations

Physical Significance:

The physical significance of Maxwell's equations obtained from integral form are given below:

Maxwell's First Equation:

1. The total electric displacement through the surface enclosing a volume is equal to the total charge within the volume.

2. It represents Gauss Law.

3. This law is independent of time. Charge acts as source or sink for the lines of electric force.

Maxwell's Second Equation:

1. The total magnetic flux emitting through any closed surface is zero. An isolated magnet do not exist monopoles.

2. There is no source or sink for lines of magnetic force.

3. This is time independent equation.

Maxwell's Third Equation:

1. The electromotive force around the closed path is equal to the time derivative of the magnetic displacement through any surface bounded by the path.

2. This gives relation between electric field $E$ and magnetic induction $B$.

3. This expression is time varying i.e. $E$ is generated by time variation of $B$.

4.This gives relation in variation of E with the time variation of $B$ or $H$.

5. This is a mathematical form of Faraday's law of electromagnetic induction or Lenz's Law.

Maxwell's Fourth Equation:

1. The magneto-motive force around the closed path is equal to the conduction current plus displacement current through any surface bounded by the path.

2. This is time dependent wave equation.

3 This is a mathematical form of Ampere circuital law.

4. Magnetic induction $B$ can be generated from $J$ and time variation of magnetic displacement $D$.

5. This relates the space variation of $B$ with time variation of $D$.