What do we understand by electromagnetism?
Electromagnetism is the combination of two words: electro means electric field, and magnetism means magnetic field. So electromagnetism is the interaction of electric field and magnetic field with charged particles.
When electric current is passed through any conductor, it produces magnetic field lines across it. The conductors can be metals that allow electricity to pass through them, for example: copper, silver, aluminum, and many more. Electromagnetism is the phenomenon observed in objects that are in motion; if the charged particle is stationary, then it only has an electric field, but if the charged particle is in motion, it has a magnetic field and an electric field both.
How did we get to know about electromagnetism?
The discovery of electromagnetism is associated with three individual discoveries.
- Hans Christian Oersted, in the year 1820, says his discovery is called accidental as per him electricity and magnetic field are not linked, but to his surprise while teaching students this same concept, he found that electricity produces magnetic field.
- In 1830, Michael Faraday, an English scientist, discovered the opposite being stated by Oersted: a magnetic field produces an electric field, i.e., electricity.
- In the year 1873, James Clark Maxwell, a Scottish scientist, combined the ideas of both scientists and gave the concept of electromagnetics. Maxwell is called the Father of Electromagnetism.
How does an electromagnet work: step by step
- Take a copper wire and wrap around the nail.
- Connect the end of the wire to the positive and negative sides of the battery.
- When wire is attached to the battery, electricity runs through the wire.
- The electric current that flows through the wire creates magnetic fields transforming a simple iron nail into a magnet.
- When we disconnect the wire from the battery, the flow of electric current stops and the magnetic field disappears. This principle is used in many electric appliances, like electric motors and generators.
Daily life applications of electromagnetics
- Appliances that we use in the kitchen, like grinders and mixers, have an electric motor attached to them, which works on the principle of electromagnetism. This magnetic field produced by electric current helps the motor to work.
- The electrical bells at our homes also work on the same principle, where a magnetic field created helps in producing sound when we press the bell.
- Fans that are used to keep us cool also work on the principle of electromagnetism. The motor of the fan converts the electrical energy into physical energy and helps the motor to work.
- Radio, television, and speakers all use electromagnetism. The electromagnet attached to the system moves back and forth when electric current is passed through it, which produces sound waves of different frequencies as vibrations are created.
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