Electromagnetism & Wave Optics: From Faraday to Maxwell Equations
Encyclopedia/1. The Cosmos & The Natural World/2. Physics & Chemistry/05. Electromagnetism & Optics • Curated by Admin Timeline.sg
Unifying electricity, magnetism, and light: Oersted deflection, Faraday electromagnetic induction, Maxwell's field equations, and Hertzian radio waves.
Chronological Storyline (39 Milestones)
1800 CE
Volta invents the Voltaic pile
Alessandro Volta invents the first electric battery, providing a steady source of electric current. #physics #electricity
Volta invents the Voltaic pile By Borbrav, svg version by Luigi Chiesa - Image:Voltaic pile.png, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=5091724
Jul 1, 1820 CE
Oersted discovers electromagnetism
Hans Christian Oersted demonstrates that an electric current deflects a compass needle, establishing a direct link between electricity and magnetism. #physics #electromagnetism
Sep 1, 1820 CE
Ampère formulates Ampère's law
André-Marie Ampère quantitatively describes the magnetic force between current-carrying wires, laying the foundation for electrodynamics. #physics #electromagnetism
Ampère formulates Ampère's law By Sbyrnes321 - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9918981
1821 CE
Faraday invents the first electric motor
Michael Faraday demonstrates electromagnetic rotation, creating a rudimentary electric motor. #physics #invention
1825 CE
Sturgeon invents the electromagnet
William Sturgeon invents the first powerful electromagnet, using a soft iron core and insulated wire. #physics #engineering
Sturgeon invents the electromagnet By MikeRun - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=105231645
1826 CE
Ohm's law published
Georg Ohm publishes his law relating voltage, current, and resistance in a conductor. #physics #electricity
Ohm's law published By Waveguide2 (talk) (Transferred by Nk/Originally uploaded by Waveguide2) - I created this work entirely by myself. (Originally uploaded on en.wikipedia), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15536084
Aug 29, 1831 CE
Faraday discovers electromagnetic induction
Michael Faraday discovers that a changing magnetic field induces an electric current, leading to the development of generators and transformers. #physics #induction
Faraday discovers electromagnetic induction By Federal Aviation Administration - http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aircraft/amt_handbook/media/FAA-8083-30_Ch10.pdf, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28091272
1833 CE
Lenz's law formulated
Heinrich Lenz states that induced current flows in a direction to oppose the change producing it, confirming conservation of energy. #physics #electromagnetism
Lenz's law formulated By Geek3 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10618762
1834 CE
Henry invents relay and discovers self-inductance
Joseph Henry builds the first practical relay and independently discovers self-inductance. #physics #invention
Henry invents relay and discovers self-inductance By Mathew Brady or Levin Handy - Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division. Brady-Handy Photograph Collection. http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cwpbh.05156. CALL NUMBER: LC-BH832- 30887 <P&P>[P&P], Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1553347
1840 CE
Joule's law for heat dissipation
James Prescott Joule formulates the relationship between electric current, resistance, and heat generated. #physics #thermodynamics
1845 CE
Kirchhoff's circuit laws published
Gustav Kirchhoff introduces laws of current and voltage conservation in electrical circuits. #physics #engineering
1845 CE
Faraday discovers magneto-optical effect
Michael Faraday observes that a magnetic field can rotate the plane of polarization of light, linking electromagnetism and optics. #physics #optics
1850 CE
Weber publishes fundamental work on electromagnetism
Wilhelm Eduard Weber develops precise measurements and theories of electromagnetism, including the Weber electrodynamometer. #physics
Weber publishes fundamental work on electromagnetism By Gottlieb Biermann - https://smb.museum-digital.de/object/142827, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=154676779
1856 CE
Maxwell publishes 'On Faraday's Lines of Force'
James Clerk Maxwell mathematically formalizes Faraday's field concept, laying groundwork for field theory. #physics #electromagnetism
1861 CE
Maxwell introduces displacement current
Maxwell adds displacement current to Ampère's law, predicting electromagnetic waves. #physics #theory
1865 CE
Maxwell's equations published
In 'A Dynamical Theory of the Electromagnetic Field', Maxwell presents a set of equations unifying electricity, magnetism, and optics. #physics #equations
1873 CE
Maxwell publishes Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism
James Clerk Maxwell's comprehensive treatise further develops his field theory and equations. #physics #book
Maxwell publishes Treatise on Electricity and Magnetism By James Clerk Maxwell - https://libserv.aip.org/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=166V0F796L586.540772&profile=rev-all&source=~!horizon&view=subscriptionsummary&uri=full=3100006~!44251~!58&ri=9&aspect=subtab232&menu=search&ipp=20&spp=20&staffonly=&term=Maxwell,+James+Clerk,+1831-1879&index=PAUTHOR&uindex=&aspect=subtab232&menu=search&ri=9, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=125782845
1876 CE
Hall effect discovered
Edwin Hall discovers the voltage difference transverse to electric current in a magnetic field. #physics #effect
Hall effect discovered By File:Hall effect.png: Peo Conversion to gif: Hike395 - This file was derived from: Hall effect.png:, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=180534131
1886 CE
Hertz begins radio wave experiments
Heinrich Hertz starts experiments with spark gaps and antennas, aiming to verify Maxwell's predicted electromagnetic waves. #physics #experiment
Hertz begins radio wave experiments By Robert Krewaldt, Kaiserplatz 16, Bonn - Cabinetphotograph, Kabinettfotografie, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26781773
1887 CE
Hertz demonstrates electromagnetic waves
Hertz successfully generates and detects radio waves, confirming Maxwell's theory and their propagation at finite speed. #physics #radio
1887 CE
Hertz discovers photoelectric effect
While experimenting with spark gaps, Hertz notices enhanced spark when ultraviolet light hits the electrodes. #physics #quantum
Hertz discovers photoelectric effect By Ponor - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=92684859
1888 CE
Hertz measures properties of EM waves
Hertz demonstrates reflection, refraction, polarization, and standing waves of radio waves, proving they behave like light. #physics #waves
1890 CE
Branly invents coherer
Édouard Branly invents the coherer, a sensitive detector of radio waves used in early wireless telegraphy. #physics #invention
Branly invents coherer By J. A. Davidson, specifically JA.Davidson. - The source is the Wikipedia entry, Coherer, url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coherer., CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26317605
1892 CE
Lodge demonstrates radio wave transmission
Oliver Lodge demonstrates the transmission of radio waves over short distances using a coherer. #physics #radio
Lodge demonstrates radio wave transmission By Lafayette Ltd. - [1], CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=33263972
1893 CE
Tesla presents wireless power transmission
Nikola Tesla demonstrates wireless transmission of electrical energy using resonant circuits at the World's Fair in Chicago. #physics #invention
1895 CE
Röntgen discovers X-rays
Wilhelm Röntgen discovers X-rays while studying cathode rays, finding they can pass through soft tissue. #physics #xray
Röntgen discovers X-rays By NickSpiker - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=115337985
1895 CE
Marconi pioneers radio telegraphy
Guglielmo Marconi begins experiments with wireless telegraphy, sending signals over increasing distances. #physics #communication
Marconi pioneers radio telegraphy By Pach Brothers - This image is available from the United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs division under the digital ID cph.3a40043.This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyright tag is still required. See Commons:Licensing., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=122016
1895 CE
Bose invents microwave optics
Jagadish Chandra Bose experiments with millimeter-wave electromagnetic waves, generating and detecting them with novel apparatus. #physics #microwaves
Bose invents microwave optics By The Birth Centenary Committee, printed by P.C. Ray - Acharya Jagadis Chandra Bose, Birth Centenary, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=697748
1896 CE
Becquerel discovers radioactivity
Henri Becquerel discovers that uranium salts emit penetrating rays, opening the study of nuclear physics. #physics #radiation
Becquerel discovers radioactivity By Paul Nadar / Adam Cuerden - This file comes from Gallica Digital Library and is available under the digital ID btv1b532297273/f1, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=120421283
1897 CE
Thomson discovers the electron
J.J. Thomson measures the charge-to-mass ratio of cathode rays, identifying the first subatomic particle. #physics #particle
Thomson discovers the electron By Not Mentioned - First World War.com, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2969861
Lebedev measures light pressure By Unknown author - http://slovari.yandex.ru/dict/bse/article/00041/42200.htm?text=%D0%9F%D0%B5%D1%82%D1%80%20%D0%9D%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B0%D0%B5%D0%B2%D0%B8%D1%87%20%D0%9B%D0%B5%D0%B1%D0%B5%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%B2&stpar1=1.1.3, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6974518
Dec 14, 1900 CE
Planck introduces quantum hypothesis
Max Planck presents a derivation of blackbody radiation law, introducing the concept of energy quanta. #physics #quantum
Planck introduces quantum hypothesis By Darth Kule - Own work, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10555337
Dec 12, 1901 CE
Marconi transmits first transatlantic radio signal
Marconi receives the first transatlantic wireless signal (the letter 'S') in St. John's, Newfoundland, from Cornwall, England. #physics #communication
Mar 18, 1905 CE
Einstein explains photoelectric effect
Albert Einstein uses light quanta (photons) to explain the photoelectric effect, supporting quantum theory. #physics #quantum
Sep 26, 1905 CE
Einstein publishes special relativity
Einstein's paper 'On the Electrodynamics of Moving Bodies' shows that electromagnetic laws are invariant in all inertial frames, leading to special relativity. #physics #relativity
Einstein publishes special relativity By Lucien Chavan [1] (1868 - 1942), a friend of Einstein's when he was living in Berne. - Cropped from original at the The Albert Einstein Archives, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem., Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16699199
1905 CE
Einstein proposes light quanta
Einstein's paper on the photoelectric effect also proposes that light consists of discrete quanta (later called photons). #physics #quantum
1908 CE
Minkowski space-time formulation
Hermann Minkowski presents a geometric interpretation of special relativity, merging space and time into a four-dimensional continuum, crucial for electrodynamics. #physics #relativity
Minkowski space-time formulation By Hermann Minkowski - scan from original book, Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2956997
1909 CE
Millikan measures electron charge
Robert Millikan begins his oil-drop experiment to measure the elementary charge of the electron. #physics #experiment
Millikan measures electron charge By Unknown author - http://chem.ch.huji.ac.il/~eugeniik/history/millikan.html (taken in 2006, now don't work), Public domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=685739
1910 CE
Nicholson proposes quantized angular momentum
John William Nicholson proposes that atoms have quantized angular momentum, linking spectra to quantum theory. #physics #quantum
Nicholson proposes quantized angular momentum By Credit Line: AIP Emilio Segrè Visual Archives, Gift of Martin Schwarzschild - https://repository.aip.org/islandora/object/nbla%3A314240, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=123263637
