Theory of Electromagnetism

After Isaac Newton, his equation for electromagnetism became widely known as the second ultimate theory in Physics. With this theory, he was the first to have proved that the three aspects, i.e., magnetism, light and electricity, are manifestations of a singular phenomenon. Maxwell demonstrated in 1865's publication of A Dynamical Theory of the Electromagnetic Field that in space, the magnetic and electric fields move as though they are waves traveling at the speed of light. Based on this theory, he proposed that the medium that causes magnetism and electricity phenomena is the same as the one that causes light to undulate.

Also known as the father of contemporary electrical engineering, James Clerk Maxwell is credited for predicting what we know as radio waves today and their existence based on this grand unification of scientific phenomena. No wonder his quantitative connection in this regard has been counted as one of the 19th century's most remarkable accomplishments in the field of mathematical physics.

 

Maxwell & his scientific legacy

Unlike other contemporary scientists, other than Electromagnetism, Maxwell's contribution to science has been diverse.

 

Breakthrough in Thermodynamics

If you're reading this, then you have at least heard about the famous Maxwell's demon. Maxwell developed further on the kinetic theory of gases to a great extent, but only in the form of a mathematical experiment on gas friction laws. Using his thought experiment, he hypothetically suggested the possibility of violating thermodynamics' second law. The law states that heat doesn't naturally flow from a cold to a warmer body unless work is used to make it happen.  

His addition to the theory was the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution, which Maxwell explained using a demon guard's image sitting between two chambers containing gas at equal temperatures. The trapdoor had a hole that the demon could open at will to let hot & cold gas molecules pass from between the chambers. Eventually, cold molecules will pass into the chamber of hotter molecules and vice versa. In this sorting process, heat passes from a cold to a hot gas, thus, challenging the second law of thermodynamics.

However, many physicists have criticized this unresolved adversary on the laws of thermodynamics.

 

Study of color vision

Maxwell shared a significant interest in psychology, along with several physicists of his time. His primary focus was on the theory of color vision. He proved Thomas Young's trichromatic color theory using linear algebra. He did not stop there and proceeded to apply this theory of color perception in practice, in the form of color photography. It was in 1861 that he presented the 1st durable color photograph.

It is safe to say that Maxwell's contributions have guided the era of modern physics extensively. Many scientists believe that Maxwell, a 19th-century physicist, has largely influenced 20th-century physics with his work and discoveries.