Electromagnetic theory is a physics field focusing on electric and magnetic fields' interactions. It shows how charges and currents create forces and electromagnetic waves like light and X-rays, detailing their propagation through space.
This page outlines key concepts in electromagnetism, including electromagnetic forces, measurements of fields, and fundamental laws like Gauss's Law and Ampere's Law.
Electromagnetic waves are the self-propagating, mutual oscillation of electric and magnetic fields. The propagation of electromagnetic energy is often referred to as radiation.
Electromagnetic forces occur between any two charged particles. Electric forces cause an attraction between particles with opposite charges and repulsion between particles with the same charge, while magnetism is an interaction that occurs between charged particles in relative motion.
Everyday modern life is pervaded by electromagnetic phenomena. When a lightbulb is switched on, a current flows through a thin filament in the bulb, and the current heats the filament to such a high temperature that it glows, illuminating its surroundings.
Electromagnetic energy powers everything from sunlight to Wi-Fi. Learn how it works, what the spectrum covers, and where it shows up in medicine and daily life.
An electromagnetic field exerts a force on other charged objects within its vicinity, influencing their behavior. The electromagnetic force itself is unique in that it encompasses both electric and magnetic components, which are intrinsically linked and can transform into each other.
Electromagnetic Waves and Telecommunications: Electromagnetic waves, including radio waves, microwaves, and light, are used for communication purposes, including radio broadcasting, television, mobile phones, and wireless internet.
Electromagnetic energy travels in waves and spans a broad spectrum from very long radio waves to very short gamma rays. The human eye can only detect only a small portion of this spectrum called visible light.