Angle Quote by James Clerk Maxwell
“What, then, is light according to the electromagnetic theory? It consists of alternate and opposite rapidly recurring transverse magnetic disturbances, accompanied with electric displacements, the direction of the electric displacement being at the right angles to the magnetic disturbance, and both at right angles to the direction of the ray.”
About This Quote
Source Scientific Lecture: Electromagnetic Theory, 1865
Light is described as perpendicular electric and magnetic waves that propagate together.
In simple terms: Light is made of intersecting electric and magnetic waves.
Key Takeaway
Understand light as electromagnetic waves.
Themes
physics
electromagnetism
wave theory
Mood
analytical
educational
Type
scientific
explanatory
When to use this quote
- optics
- communication
- energy transfer
Key Concepts
electromagnetic wave
polarization
propagation
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this wave view explain color?
- What limits does this model have?
A Different Perspective
Simplified view omits quantum aspects.
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