In Maxwell's equations, the electric and magnetic fields are indeed given equal importance. However, in many everyday situations, the electric field tends to dominate over the magnetic field. This dominance can be attributed to a few reasons:
Scale of charges: In most macroscopic scenarios, there are typically more electric charges present than moving charges (currents). The electric field is directly influenced by static charges, while the magnetic field is primarily influenced by moving charges. Since static charges are more prevalent, the electric field often dominates.
Magnetic field dependence on velocity: The magnetic field is directly proportional to the velocity of the moving charges. In everyday situations, the typical velocities of charges are much smaller compared to the speed of light. As a result, the magnetic field contribution is relatively weaker compared to the electric field.
Relative strengths of electric and magnetic forces: The electric force between two charges (Coulomb's law) is much stronger compared to the magnetic force between two moving charges (magnetic force law). This disparity in strength contributes to the electric field's dominance in many situations.
However, it's important to note that there are situations where the magnetic field becomes significant and cannot be ignored. For instance, in high-energy particle accelerators or when dealing with strong magnets, the magnetic field can play a crucial role.
Overall, while both the electric and magnetic fields are fundamental and equally important in Maxwell's equations, the dominance of the electric field in everyday scenarios can be attributed to factors such as the prevalence of static charges, the velocity dependence of the magnetic field, and the relative strengths of electric and magnetic forces.