Question:

Which one of the following laws is modified by Maxwell to obtain four electromagnetic equations known as Maxwell's equations?

Show Hint

The four Maxwell's equations are:
1. Gauss's Law of Electrostatics
2. Gauss's Law of Magnetism
3. Faraday's Law of Induction
4. Ampere-Maxwell Law (the only one modified by Maxwell).
Updated On: Jul 22, 2026
  • Gauss's law of electricity
  • Gauss's law of magnetism
  • Faraday's law
  • Ampere's circuit law
Show Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
The question asks which of the classical laws of electromagnetism was modified by James Clerk Maxwell to formulate his set of four fundamental equations.

Step 2: Key Concept and Approach:
Maxwell identified an inconsistency in Ampere's Circuital Law when applied to circuits with time-varying electric fields, such as a charging capacitor.
To resolve this, he introduced the concept of displacement current, modifying Ampere's law into the Ampere-Maxwell Law.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:

Inconsistency in Ampere's Law:
Ampere's Circuital Law is written as:
\[ \oint \vec{B} \cdot d\vec{l} = \mu_0 I_c \] During the charging of a capacitor, a magnetic field exists between the plates, but no conduction current ($I_c$) flows there, causing a mathematical contradiction.

Maxwell's Correction:
Maxwell proposed that a changing electric field between the plates induces a magnetic field, acting as a virtual current called the displacement current ($I_d$):
\[ I_d = \varepsilon_0 \frac{d\Phi_E}{dt} \] He modified Ampere's law to include this term:
\[ \oint \vec{B} \cdot d\vec{l} = \mu_0 \left( I_c + \varepsilon_0 \frac{d\Phi_E}{dt} \right) \] This modified equation is called the Ampere-Maxwell Law.


Step 4: Final Answer:
The law modified by Maxwell is Ampere's circuit law, which corresponds to Option (D).
Was this answer helpful?
0
0

Top AP EAPCET Physics Questions

View More Questions