Changes

From the way in which changes in a [[magnetic field]] produce electric fields, and the way in which changes in electric fields produced magnetic fields, Maxwell deduced a set of equations that describe them, [[Maxwell's Equations]], in 1861.  The equations predicted the possibility of electromagnetic waves. Other scientists looked for and detected these waves, which led both to the development of radio communication and to the discovery that light is a kind of [[electromagnetic wave]].

From the way in which changes in a [[magnetic field]] produce electric fields, and the way in which changes in electric fields produced magnetic fields, Maxwell deduced a set of equations that describe them, [[Maxwell's Equations]], in 1861.  The equations predicted the possibility of electromagnetic waves. Other scientists looked for and detected these waves, which led both to the development of radio communication and to the discovery that light is a kind of [[electromagnetic wave]].

He also proposed a thought experiment that became known as [[Maxwell's demon]] which was designed as a challenge to the [[Second Law of Thermodynamics]].

He also proposed a [[thought experiment]] that became known as [[Maxwell's demon]] which was designed as a challenge to the [[Second Law of Thermodynamics]].

Lorentz and Poincare relied heavily upon Maxwell's ideas, which were in turn mathematized forms of [[Michael Faraday]]'s work, to create the theories of [[relativity]].  It has been suggested that relativity is Faraday and Maxwell's field theory applied to the stars,<ref> "Influence on the Development of the Conception of Physical Reality" by Albert Einstein, written for the centenary of Maxwell's birth (1931)</ref> but relativity includes assumptions and claims that Maxwell may not have supported.

Lorentz and Poincare relied heavily upon Maxwell's ideas, which were in turn mathematized forms of [[Michael Faraday]]'s work, to create the theories of [[relativity]].  It has been suggested that relativity is Faraday and Maxwell's field theory applied to the stars,<ref> "Influence on the Development of the Conception of Physical Reality" by Albert Einstein, written for the centenary of Maxwell's birth (1931)</ref> but relativity includes assumptions and claims that Maxwell may not have supported.