Electromagnetism Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Electromagnetism?

Electromagnetism is the physical phenomenon in which a magnetic field is generated by an electric current. It is the fundamental force responsible for interactions between charged particles and is one of the four fundamental forces of nature. Electromagnetism has a wide range of applications, from electric motors and generators to particle accelerators and wireless communication systems.The basic concept behind electromagnetism dates back to ancient times when it was observed that certain materials, such as iron filings, were attracted to magnets. In 1820, Hans Christian Oersted discovered that an electric current produced a magnetic field around it. This discovery led to further investigation into the relationship between electricity and magnetism, leading eventually to Michael Faraday’s law of induction in 1831. Faraday’s work provided the foundation for modern electromagnetism and paved the way for its widespread application in many areas of science and technology. At its core, electromagnetism involves two types of fields: electric fields caused by static charges or moving electric charges; and magnetic fields created by moving charges or magnets themselves. Electric fields are caused by static chargesthat is, electrons that are not movingand they can be both attractive (attracting other electrons) or repulsive (pushing away other electrons). Magnetic fields are created when there is relative motion between two sources of charge; this motion produces a wave-like disturbance that propagates outward from those sources at light speed. Both electrical and magnetic forces act on charged particleselectrons being prime examplesand their interactions can create electromagnetic radiation in different forms depending on the frequency involved (e.g., radio waves, microwaves). These forms are used extensively today for broadcasting audio/video content as well as carrying data through communication networks such as Wi-Fi or cellular networks. In addition to these uses, electromagnetism also plays an important role in everyday life through its applications in various technologies such as electric motors and generators, transformers used in power transmission systems, medical imaging equipment like MRI scanners or X-ray machines; particle accelerators used for research purposes; microwave ovens; radar systems; wireless communications devices including cell phones etc.