Where Does Electromagnetic Energy Go?

Thread starter mak_phy
Start date Mar 5, 2011
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Electromagnetic Electromagnetic energy Energy

AI Thread Summary

When an electric bulb is switched off, the electromagnetic energy it emitted does not disappear; instead, it is absorbed by surrounding objects. This energy transfer results in the energy being stored as thermal energy, which is associated with the movement of atoms in those objects. The principle of conservation of energy confirms that energy can neither be created nor destroyed, only transformed. Thus, the transition from electromagnetic waves to thermal energy explains the phenomenon of darkness following the bulb's shutdown. Understanding this process highlights the fundamental nature of energy transformation in physics.

Mar 5, 2011

mak_phy

Hi all physics lovers,
please bear with my question as its like a kid wondering about something :)
Energy can neither be created nor be destroyed. So when I switch off an electric bulb, there is darkness. So where does the electromagnetic energy go?

Thank you.

Last edited: Mar 5, 2011

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Mar 5, 2011

beelzebot

It gets absorbed by objects in the room. The energy goes from electromagnetic waves to being stored in the jiggling of atoms.

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