See Also: Maxwell(dictionary)
Maxwell's equations(encyclopedia)
Maxwell, William(encyclopedia)
Maxwell (as used in expressions)(encyclopedia)
Maxwell, (Ian) Robert(encyclopedia)
Maxwell-Boltzmann(dictionary)
Maxwell's duiker(dictionary)
Taylor, Maxwell (Davenport)(encyclopedia)
Perkins, Maxwell (Evarts)(encyclopedia)
Maxwell, James Clerk(dictionary)

Maxwell (iou)



Maxwell noun. L19.
[James Clerk Maxwell (1831-79), Scot. physicist.]
Physics.
1. Used in possess. and attrib. to designate concepts originated by Maxwell. L19.
Maxwell demon, Maxwell's demon a device (or imaginary being) conceived as allowing only fast-moving molecules to pass through a hole in one direction and only slow-moving ones in the other direction, so that if the hole is in a partition dividing a gas-filled vessel into two parts, one side becomes warmer and the other cooler, in violation of the second law of thermodynamics. Maxwell distribution, Maxwell's distribution (a formula describing) the distribution of molecular velocities predicted by Maxwell's law, the number with a velocity between v and v+dv being proportional to exp(1 / 2mv2/kT)v2dv (where m is the mass of a molecule, k is Boltzmann's constant, and T is the absolute temperature). Maxwell equation, Maxwell's equation each of a set of four linear partial differential equations which summarize the classical properties of the electromagnetic field and relate space and time derivatives of the electric and magnetic field vectors, the electric displacement vector, and the magnetic induction vector, and also involve the electric current and charge densities. Maxwell law, Maxwell's law a law in classical physics giving the probabilities of different velocities for the molecules of a gas in equilibrium.
2. (maxwell.) A unit of magnetic flux in the cgs system, equal to the flux through an area of one square centimetre normal to a uniform induction of one gauss, and equivalent to 108 weber. E20.
Maxwellian adjective of, pertaining to, or originated by J. C. Maxwell; in accordance with Maxwell's law or equations: L19.