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Maxwell devoted significant energy to crafting a clear mathematical expression for electromagnetic fields. His work faced several hurdles, especially in understanding intangible field concepts, often relying on analogies derived from fluid dynamics—such as divergence and curl—to communicate complex ideas.
Through innovative thought experiments and the integration of prior knowledge, particularly from Faraday and Lord Kelvin, Maxwell shaped a groundbreaking mechanical model that described electromagnetic fields and their interactions. His work showed that light is not a separate phenomenon but rather an electromagnetic wave, a monumental realization that unified different facets of physics.