MAXWELLS

EQUATIONS
AND BOUNDARY
CONDITIONS

INTRODUCTION
If the field exists in a region consisting of two
different media, the conditions that the field must
satisfy at the interface separating the media are
called boundary conditions.
Maxwells equations characterize macroscopic
matter by means of its permittivity , permeability
, and conductivity , where these properties are
usually represented by scalars and can vary among
media.

E Electric field
H Magnetic field
D Electric displacement
B Magnetic induction

r Electric charge density

J Electric current density

e Permittivity
m Permeability
e 0 Permittivity of vacuum
m 0 Permeability of vacuum
P Electric polarization
M Magnetization

Boundary Conditions
for Magnetic Field
The derivation of boundary conditions for the
magnetic field, follows similar arguments to
that of the electric field, but using equations:

Again we consider the normal and

tangential components as illustrated
below.

Normal and tangential components the B field on either

side of an interface.

Normal Component of B

The boundary condition for the normal

component of the magnetic field can be
obtained by applying Gausss flux law:

Now if two planes are allowed to approach one

another, keeping the interface between them, the
area of the curved surface will approach zero,
giving:

Tangential Component of H
We can derive the tangential component of H
by applying Amperes law

The variation in H across an interface is

obtained by the application of this law around a
closed rectangular path, as shown in the figure.
Assuming no current at the interface, letting the
rectangle shrink to zero:

Thus, tangential component of H has the same

projection along the two sides of the rectangle.
Since the rectangle can be rotated 90 and the
argument is repeated, it follows.

The tangential component of H is continuous across a

current-free interface. The relation

between the angles made by H1 and H2 with a currentfree interface (see figure below) is obtained.

Current Sheet at
the Boundary The magnetic field H produced by
this current sheet is given by:

The resultant magnetic field,

This is expressed by the vector

formula

Summary of
Boundary Conditions
For reference purposes, the relationship for E and
D across the interface of two dielectrics are shown
below along the relationships for H and B.
Electric Fields

Magnetic Fields
Bn1= Bn2
Ht1 = Ht2

Dn1= Dn2 (Charge-free)

(Current-free)

(D1 D2) an12 = -r (with surface charge)

(H1 H2) an12 = K (with current sheet)

(current-free)

Et1 = Et2
(charge-free)

MAXWELLS
EQUATIONS
Maxwell's equations are a series of four partial
differential equations that describe the force of
electromagnetism. Individually, the four equations are
named Gauss' law, Gauss' law for magnetism, Faraday's
law and Ampere's law.
General form of Maxwells equations:
1. It actually applies to all cases, either in vacuum or in a
medium. It is thus called the general form of Maxwells
equations.
2. It is also called Maxwells equations in vacuum.


Maxwells Equations, General Set

Maxwells Equations, Free-space Set

Thanks!
Any questions?

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