Electromagnetism Definition and 852 Threads

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.

View More On Wikipedia.org
  1. Aryamaan Thakur

    Electric potential at the edge of a thin charged circular plate

    My question might sound stupid to you but please clear my confusions. I'm taking an circular arc like element on the plate. That arc has a radius of 'r' (AB) and the radius is inclined at an angle 'θ' with OA (∠OAB). The area between arc of radius r and r+dr is dA. dA = 2θr.dr The charge on...
  2. TheBigDig

    Force on a magnet in a magnetic field

    So I'm kinda stumped. I'm assuming that since ##\vec{m}||\vec{B}##, the x and y components of both are zero. But I'm unsure how to take this further.
  3. Rasias

    How to calculate what a voltmeter measures with multiple resistors?

    I tried to solve it by removing the voltmeter and simplifying it to just one resistor, then calculate the individual volts and then the deltaV, but still didn't found the answer, can you guys help me?
  4. TheBigDig

    Magnetic field of vector potential

    So I was able to do out the curl in the i and j direction and got 3xz/r5 and 3yz/r5 as expected. However, when I do out the last curl, I do not get 3z2-3r2. I get the following \frac{\partial}{\partial x} \frac{x}{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^\frac{3}{2}} = \frac{-2x^2+y^2+z^2}{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^\frac{5}{2}}...
  5. A

    Courses Electromagnetism 1 vs. Quantum Mechanics 2

    Hi all, I am an undergraduate junior majoring in materials science who would like some advice with respect to which courses to take for the fall semester of my senior year. Some background: I am a materials science student and I intend to study spintronics and topological insulators for my...
  6. A

    Several questions about electromagnetism

    Hey, i have several questions about electromagnetism, i hope you will be able to solve these haha : 1) how to define the electric field? i mean without saying E = F/q because a field causes the electric force and not the reverse so we can't use the force yet right? 2) how to snap a capacitor...
  7. K

    How Does a Dielectric Influence Charge Induction on a Conducting Shell?

    Homework Statement Imagine having a conducting sphere with free charge ##Q## surrounded by a spherical shell filled with a dielectric and then a conducting spherical shell with no free net charge. I want to find out the charge induced on the spherical conducting shell by the sphere or by the...
  8. K

    Spherical capacitor with dielectrics

    Homework Statement Consider the following system: which consists of a conducting sphere with free charge , a dielectric shell with permittivity ##\epsilon_1##, another dielectric shell with permittivity ##\epsilon_2## and finally a conducting spherical shell with no free charge. Homework...
  9. Alex Karatzky

    How to optimize spark gap Tesla coils?

    My elementary school had its first annual science fair a few weeks ago, so me and my friend signed up and we decided to do it on wireless electricity. So naturally, we built a tesla coil. It took a couple of tries, but we eventually got it to barely illuminate a portion of a fluorescent light...
  10. J

    In what direction does a light wave vibrate?

    I've wondered this for a while but not known how to ask the question, If light is a transverse wave, then what is it transverse to? To elaborate, light travels in three-dimensions, radially. To me, this seems analogous to the sound wave, with pulses of pressure moving longitudinally to the...
  11. C

    Calculating Induced EMF in a Larger Solenoid Slipped Over Another Solenoid

    1. Problem statement A very long straight solenoid has a diameter of 3cm, 40 turns per cm, and a current of .275 A. A second solenoid is with larger diameter is slipped over it with N turns per cm, and the current is ramped down to zero over 0.2 s. a) What is the emf induced in the second...
  12. A

    What is the electric field of a point charge?

    Assuming the point charge lies at the origin, what is the electric field at the origin? Zero or undefined?
  13. J

    I Feynman-Heaviside formula and Mach's principle

    I was wondering if the [Feynman-Heaviside formula](http://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/II_21.html) for the electric field of a moving charge could be used to write down the force/reaction force between charges ##q_1## and ##q_2## in a Machian purely relational way. The retarded electric...
  14. D

    Studying John Baez's list of books math prerequisites?

    my current skills in math are differential eq and linear algebra... and I am about to start reading Feynman lectures of physics and planning to read all John Baez's recommended books.. after reading Feynman's, what would be the next best thing to do? learn more math? or jump already to core...
  15. li dan

    I Stress problem between superconductor and wire

    In superconducting state, If the superconductor and the guide line are stationary, will the force between the the guide line and the superconductor change when they are close to or far away from the magnet?
  16. li dan

    Can an aircraft using a geomagnetic field generate lift?

    As shown in the figure, the aircraft includes a geomagnetic field convergence layer, which is a superconductor material. The geomagnetic field convergence layer repels the direction of changing the geomagnetic field, so that the geomagnetic field passes between the upper and lower converging...
  17. E

    Intro to Electromagnetism: five conceptual questions

    Hello! I'm working on an online assignment and am on my last chance to submit the right answer, so I figured I'd ask here for some help to see where my reasoning is wrong. Problem: For each of the five questions, I can choose one of four responses: Positive, Negative, Neutral, or Cannot Tell...
  18. J

    I Falling electric dipole contradicts the equivalence principle?

    Consider an electric dipole consisting of charges ##q## and ##-q##, both of mass ##m##, separated by a distance ##d##. If the dipole is given an acceleration ##a## perpendicular to its moment the total electric force on it, due to each charge acting on the other, is given approximately by...
  19. Javier Lopez

    Particle movement in a non-static magnetic field

    Particles follows accordingly the general equation: $$ m*\overrightarrow{a}=q*\overrightarrow{E}+q*\overrightarrow{v}\wedge \overrightarrow{B} $$ But in the case of two coupled coils the time varying current at primary coil (and its magnetic field variation) creates corresponding varying...
  20. Lren Zvsm

    Slightly More Plausible Barriers Than Force Fields

    I am contemplating writing a science fiction story involving flexible barriers that can be erected in a very short time. Force fields are pervasive in science fiction, but from what little I've read, they're not very plausible. Is there a flexible material, or class of materials, that...
  21. A

    How Can We Derive the General Stress Tensor Without Assuming Linear Media?

    Homework Statement Hi everyone! My name is Alexandra, and I'm new in this forum. I am trying to determine the mentionated tensor without the assumption of linear media or vacuum ( ## \textbf{D} = \epsilon \textbf{E} ## and ## \textbf{B} = \mu \textbf{H} ##). What I want to obtain is the...
  22. Zack K

    Location of charged particle given magnitude of position

    Homework Statement A charged particle has an electric field at ##\langle -0.13, 0.14, 0 \rangle## m is ##\langle 6.48\times10^3, -8.64\times10^3, 0 \rangle## N/C. The charged particle is -3nC. Where is the particle located? Homework Equations ##\vec E=\frac 1 {4π\varepsilon_0} \frac q {|\vec...
  23. Cathr

    I Finding the Fresnel coefficients from interface conditions

    I'm studying for an exam (so this is existential) and I never really got how to write the limit conditions for an interface. In my problem, there is an incident electric field, and there are two cases: 1) the field is polasised perpendicularly to the incidence plane (TE) 2) polarised in the...
  24. F

    Lagrangian for relativistic angular momentum

    Hi everyone, I have a question that can't solve. Does exist a lagrangian for the relativistic angular momentum (AM)? I can't even understand the question because it has no sense for me... I mean, the lagrangian is a scalar function of the system(particle,field,...), it isn't a function FOR the...
  25. MichPod

    I Why Not Develop Relativistic Gravitational Theory Analogy to Electromagnetism?

    How can it be easily shown that it's a bad idea to develop relativistic gravitational theory in full analogy with electromagnetism? I.e. why not to introduce 4-potential for gravitation in analogy with 4-potential in covariant form of Maxwell equations and get something fully analogous to...
  26. Ibix

    Are Magnetic Field Lines Real? - Comments

    Greg Bernhardt submitted a new blog post Are Magnetic Field Lines Real? Continue reading the Original Blog Post.
  27. Adesh

    How to prove that electric field propagates like a wave?

    I was studying Feynman Lectures on Physics Volume 1 chapter 29. In there he proves that electric field propagates like a wave. Here is my attempt (in image), please tell me my mistake. Thank you
  28. G

    Dot convention inductors in series: equation confusion

    Homework Statement So I'm really confused with mutual inductors and dot convention. If your answer is going to be a link to any website I can assure you I read them all and that only left me more confused. So here are my questions: Homework Equations 3. The Attempt at a Solution [/B] ->...
  29. G

    Confusion about the direction of the vectors: motional EMF

    Homework Statement I'm working through an example with motional EMF and I'm having trouble understanding the directions of vectors so that I can apply induction law. The magnetic circuit seems complex because the circuit is used to analyze other situations but the air gap 3, the coil 3 and the...
  30. G

    Two voltmeters in parallel measure these different voltages

    Homework Statement I'm currently studying induction law and circuits with inductors. I came however with the following circuit: [1]: https://i.stack.imgur.com/ghaiE.png Homework Equations 3. The Attempt at a Solution [/B] Now my text says the following: "Unlike what your intuition might...
  31. dRic2

    Studying Suggestions for studying Electromagnetism

    (Hope I posted in the right section) Hi, starting from next semester I will have to attend classes that require a "decent" understanding of electromagnetism. I know very little about it though (it's a very long story...) so I started to study Griffith's book. At least I know the mathematics...
  32. R

    I Relativity and Electromagnetism

    Hello, There is a common setup used when describing the intimate relationship between electricity and magnetism. I have a question about the setup. Setup: There is some long current-carrying wire. Outside of that wire, there is some test charge. In the first situation, the test charge is...
  33. B

    How does Newton's 3rd law apply in this case?

    Homework Statement It is clear that SOMETHING exerts a force on the conducting wire in a downwards direction. By Newton's 3rd law, the (field of) this conducting wire also exerts a force on something. Homework Equations Could the magnet be said to move upwards (and hence reading decrease)...
  34. Faizan Samad

    Studying Online lectures for Electromagnetism

    Hello, I just had a quick question. Does anyone have links to online lectures for Upper-Division Electromagnetism? I so far haven’t been able to find much other than a few isolated videos here and there. I’m looking for something that covers Legendre polynomials, spherical harmonics, maxwell’s...
  35. Cryo

    A Electromagnetism for Media in Arbitrary Motion

    Hello To develop one interesting idea I need to be able to do calculations on (1) scattering of light from bodies in arbitrary motion, possibly at relativistic speeds; (2) Propagation of light in electromagnetic media that are in arbitrary motion (possibly relativistic). For example, I would...
  36. P

    Free surface charges on concentric cylinders

    Homework Statement Consider an infinitely long cylindrical rod with radius a carrying a uniform charge density ##\rho##. The rod is surrounded by a co-axial cylindrical metal-sheet with radius b that is connected to ground. The volume between the sheet and the rod is filled with a dielectric...
  37. Jozefina Gramatikova

    Electromagnetism and a solid metallic sphere

    Homework Statement Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution The textbook says that the electric field on a surface of a conductor is: . So, I guess since the sphere is metallic I can assume that what I have written there is true?
  38. T

    Electromagnetism Help-- Magnetostatics Boundary Problem

    Homework Statement Two magnetic materials are separated by a planar boundary. The first magnetic material has a relative permeability μr2=2; the second material has a relative permeability μr2=3. A magnetic field of magnitude B1= 4 T exists within the first material. The boundary is...
  39. icesalmon

    Studying Self-Study in Electromagnetism

    Recently ( due to me moving forward with my undergraduate studies in electrical engineering ) I purchased a plethora of books, aimed at self study, in an attempt to try and understand the concepts behind electrostatics, electrodynamics, and magnetostatics etc. I read reviews on books that would...
  40. U

    Calculation of Change in Magnetic Flux Linkage Across a Wire

    Homework Statement A straight wire of length 0.20m moves at a steady speed of 3.0m/s at right angles to a magnetic filed of flux density 0.10T. Use Faraday's law to determine the e.m.f. induced across the ends of a wire. Homework Equations E= Nd Φ/dt but N=1 so E= dΦ/dt The Attempt at a...
  41. A

    Changing electric field generating magnetic field

    I would very much appreciate a clarification on what is meant by a changing electric field in the context of statements such as 'a changing electric field creates a changing magnetic field'. My question is does the electric field actually need to reverse as a lot of examples show where two...
  42. rude man

    Insights A New Interpretation of Dr. Walter Lewin's Paradox - Comments

    Greg Bernhardt submitted a new PF Insights post A New Interpretation of Dr. Walter Lewin's Paradox Continue reading the Original PF Insights Post.
  43. CDL

    Electric Flux through the Face of a Cube

    Homework Statement Griffiths' Introduction to Electrodynamics problem 2.10, Homework Equations Gauss' Law, ##\int_{S} \textbf{E}\cdot \textbf{dS} = \frac{Q_{\text{enc}}}{\epsilon_0}##[/B]The Attempt at a Solution It seems reasonable that the flux through the shaded surface and the front...
  44. CDL

    Point Charges on a Polygon with another Charge in the Middle

    Homework Statement Suppose we have a regular n-gon with identical charges at each vertex. What force would a charge ##Q## at the centre feel? What would the force on the charge ##Q## be if one of the charges at the vertices were removed? [/B]Homework Equations Principle of Superposition, the...
  45. CDL

    Studying Higher Year Physics Studies with a Shaky Foundation

    I have just finished my first semester of third year undergraduate physics, and have a 3-4 week break before my next semester, in which I will be taking a third course in electromagnetism (classical electrodynamics). It is my second course with a full focus on electromagnetism, since in first...
  46. G

    Magnetic field in the case of a thin magnetized cylinder

    Homework Statement Consider a cylinder of thickness a=1 mm and radius R = 1 cm that is uniformly magnetized across z axis being its magnetization M= 10^5 A./m. Calculate the bound currents on the cylinder and, doing convenient approximations, the B field on the axis of the cylinder for z=0...
  47. Y

    Why does Fleming's right hand rule apply for induced current

    I know that the right hand rule applies for induced currents, and the left hand rule is for motors, but why? It doesn't seem to connect with any other physics laws and is very counter-intuitive that the current will flow in one direction rather than the opposite direction if both are...
  48. S

    Potential due to a charged plate using the dipole approximation

    Homework Statement A plane z=0 is charged with density, changing periodically according to the law: σ = σ° sin(αx) sin (βy) where, σ°, α and β are constants. We have to find the potential of this system of charges. Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution [/B] I...
  49. J

    Faraday's Unipolar Induction Equation

    Hello all, I have a question regarding Maxwell's Equations and Faraday's unipolar induction equation. If we study the case of a cylindrical magnet with a radius of r which is rotating about its axis with angular velocity w. The electrons within the magnet collide with the moving atoms, causing...
  50. I

    Assistance with practical electromagnetism project

    Good afternoon, I am carrying out a practical magnetism project which involves 2 small (2mm x 2mm - 0.6kg) neodymium magnets attached together, and an electromagnet to create a push-pull force from below in order to part them. For those that also build model railway/railroads, this will be a...
Back
Top