Causality in classical electrodynamics

TL;DR

This paper argues that electric and magnetic fields should be taught as equal causal agents in classical electrodynamics, supported by numerical solutions of Maxwell's equations, clarifying causality in the subject.

Contribution

It advocates for teaching electric and magnetic fields as equal causes in electrodynamics, supported by numerical analysis of Maxwell's equations.

Findings

Fields have equal causal status in electrodynamics

Numerical solutions support field-based causality

Clarifies misconceptions about causality in classical physics

Abstract

Causality in electrodynamics is a subject of some confusion, especially regarding the application of Faraday's law and the Ampere-Maxwell law. This has led to the suggestion that we should not teach students that electric and magnetic fields can cause each other, but rather focus on charges and currents as the causal agents. In this paper I argue that fields have equal status as casual agents, and that we should teach this. Following a discussion of causality in classical physics I will use a numerical solution of Maxwell's equations to inform a field based causal explanation in electrodynamics.