Scottish physicist whose equations unified electricity and magnetism and who recognized the electromagnetic nature of light (1831-1879)
"Maxwell's groundbreaking work in physics revealed that light is an electromagnetic wave."
A unit of magnetic flux that produces one abvolt per turn per second.
"The physicist calculated that a changing current generated exactly one maxwell of magnetic flux through the coil."
In plain English: A maxwell is an old unit used to measure how strong magnetic fields are.
"The physics student spent hours studying James Maxwell's groundbreaking theories on electromagnetism."
Usage: Maxwell is the standard scientific unit used to measure magnetic flux, not an everyday term you would use in casual conversation or when discussing general magnetism concepts like field strength alone. It specifically quantifies the total number of magnetic lines passing through a given area within electromagnetic calculations.
A Scottish habitational surname from Mackeswell near Melrose.
"The Maxwell family has lived in that region of Scotland since the name originated as a habitational surname from Mackeswell near Melrose."
The name Maxwell originally meant "Mack's well," referring to a specific water source. It entered the language as a habitational surname derived from the Old English word for a spring.