Electromagnetism: Historical Overview and Maxwell's Equations

This lecture provides a historical overview of electromagnetism, starting from the discovery of magnetism 3,000 years ago to the unification of electricity and magnetism by Oersted in 1820. The instructor explains how Maxwell's equations, formulated in 1865, revolutionized our understanding of electromagnetism, leading to the study of electromagnetic waves and their applications in modern technology. The lecture covers the evolution from electrostatics to electromagnetic waves, emphasizing the importance of Maxwell's equations in engineering and physics. The instructor recommends textbooks like Griffiths for a balanced understanding of the physics concepts and mathematics involved in electromagnetism.