An axiomatic approach to Maxwell’s equations

Abstract

This paper suggests an axiomatic approach to Maxwell’s equations. The basis of this approach is a theorem formulated for two sets of functions localized in space and time. If each set satisfies a continuity equation then the theorem provides an integral representation for each function. A corollary of this theorem yields Maxwell’s equations with magnetic monopoles. It is pointed out that the causality principle and the conservation of electric and magnetic charges are the most fundamental physical axioms underlying these equations. Another application of the corollary yields Maxwell’s equations in material media. The theorem is also formulated in the Minkowski space-time and applied to obtain the covariant form of Maxwell’s equations with magnetic monopoles and the covariant form of Maxwell’s equations in material media. The approach makes use of the infinite-space Green function of the wave equation and is therefore suitable for an advanced course in electrodynamics.