What is Electromagnetic: Definition and 1000 Discussions

Electromagnetism is a branch of physics involving the study of the electromagnetic force, a type of physical interaction that occurs between electrically charged particles. The electromagnetic force is carried by electromagnetic fields composed of electric fields and magnetic fields, and it is responsible for electromagnetic radiation such as light. It is one of the four fundamental interactions (commonly called forces) in nature, together with the strong interaction, the weak interaction, and gravitation. At high energy, the weak force and electromagnetic force are unified as a single electroweak force.

Electromagnetic phenomena are defined in terms of the electromagnetic force, sometimes called the Lorentz force, which includes both electricity and magnetism as different manifestations of the same phenomenon. The electromagnetic force plays a major role in determining the internal properties of most objects encountered in daily life. The electromagnetic attraction between atomic nuclei and their orbital electrons holds atoms together. Electromagnetic forces are responsible for the chemical bonds between atoms which create molecules, and intermolecular forces. The electromagnetic force governs all chemical processes, which arise from interactions between the electrons of neighboring atoms. Electromagnetism is very widely used in modern technology, and electromagnetic theory is the basis of electric power engineering and electronics including digital technology.
There are numerous mathematical descriptions of the electromagnetic field. Most prominently, Maxwell's equations describe how electric and magnetic fields are generated and altered by each other and by charges and currents.
The theoretical implications of electromagnetism, particularly the establishment of the speed of light based on properties of the "medium" of propagation (permeability and permittivity), led to the development of special relativity by Albert Einstein in 1905.

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  1. Parkerrhees

    Electromagnetic fluid acceleration as effective rocket propulsion?

    Let me preface this by saying I have no background in physics or any of the above other than hours and hours of reading. Could someone explain why (if a method was developed) we couldn't use EFA as a thrust system for a rocket? My reasoning is instead of using fuel to fight gravity and push...
  2. K

    I Scalar Hamiltonian and electromagnetic transitions

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  3. T

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  4. S

    Antisymmetry of the electromagnetic field tensor

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  5. B

    A Electromagnetic transitions of ##\psi(2S)##

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  6. SianRR

    Motion in Electric and Magnetic Fields -- (Uni Level Dynamics)

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  7. A

    A Visualizing water molecular dynamics in an electromagnetic field

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  8. Amoghgirgaonkar

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  9. Uchida

    I Minimum number of cycles in a short pulse laser

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  10. Stephen Bulking

    Electromagnetic Induction exercise, is something wrong with these answers?

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  11. TateTheL

    Electromagnetic Induction -- Insane Idea

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  12. O

    Electromagnetic radiation measurements

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  13. derekmatthew

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  14. A

    Do plants respond to low frequency electromagnetic waves?

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  15. F

    The Energy in an Electromagnetic Wave and the shape of the Wave

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  16. J

    The electromagnetic nature of light

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  17. L

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  18. ContagiousKnowledge

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  19. Ascendant78

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  20. olgerm

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  21. MacGyver Megh

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  22. K

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  23. Riotto

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  24. F

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  25. JorgeM

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    .
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  27. D

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  32. M

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  33. D

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  34. W

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  35. D

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  36. J

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  37. J

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  38. B

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  39. rpr

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  40. R

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  41. themountain

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  42. A

    What are the most intense electromagnetic waves in nature?

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  43. M

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  44. R

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  45. T

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  46. PhysicsKT

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  47. E

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  48. G

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  49. G

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  50. N

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