Finally wrapping up our dive into the different representations of Maxwell’s equations, we arrive at the vector potential forms. Unlike the other forms we’ve covered in past posts, there’s no perfect bottom-up derivation or stunning solution to a problem we can use to explain— nor how they rose from the backwaters of classical electromagnetism to […]
Potentials and Gauge Symmetry in Electromagnetism Read More »
What is the sum of 3 apples and 4 oranges? This classic statement highlights the difficulties in comparing the incomparable. At least, incomparable in one regard. Because, of course, it’s commonplace and perfectly correct to reply that the answer is “7 fruit.” In this context of different fruits, adding together apples and oranges makes perfect
Imaginary Apples and Oranges Read More »
Think about when you learned algebra for the first time. On that seemingly uneventful day of middle school, the letter “x” is carefully scrawled onto the class whiteboard, and all of a sudden the world of functions, systems of equations, and incomprehensible word problems smashes its way into your mind like a battering ram of
The Mystery of the Complex Plane Read More »
