A Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism, Vol. 1

Book Details

• Author: James Clerk Maxwell

• Publisher: Dover

• Edition: 3rd Edition

• Binding: Paperback

• Number of Pages: 560

• ISBN: 9780486606361

• Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.0 x 1.7 inches

• Language: English

About the Book

Maxwell's Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism remains one of the most influential texts in the history of physics. This third edition presents the final and complete elaboration of Maxwell's electromagnetic theory, including the systematic derivation of his famous field theory equations. These equations have had a profound impact on modern physics, continuing to guide the understanding of electricity, magnetism, and field theory.

Maxwell’s work served as the cornerstone for later breakthroughs in physics, inspiring Lorentz's theories on the electron and Einstein's theories of relativity. As Einstein himself famously stated, "The formulation of these equations is the most important event in physics since Newton's time."

The book is divided into two parts:

• Part I: Electrostatics
  This section delves into electrostatic phenomena and develops a mathematical framework for understanding electricity. Maxwell explores electrical work, energy in systems of conductors, mechanical actions between electrical systems, equipotential surfaces, spherical harmonics, the theory of electric images, and more.

• Part II: Electrokinematics
  This part addresses electric current conduction, resistance, electromotive forces, electrolysis, and the distribution of electric currents. It offers a mathematical theory for analyzing the behavior of electric currents and their interactions.

This timeless classic remains an essential read for anyone interested in the development of electromagnetic theory, offering a deep insight into the work that revolutionized the field of physics.