The invisible force that governs every atom in your body
In short: You cannot see electromagnetism, but you are currently being held together by it. While we often treat electricity and magnetism as separate tools, they are actually two sides of the same coin. From the lightning in a storm to the motor in your phone, this unified force dictates the rules of our physical reality.
Electromagnetism is the branch of science that studies electric charges and the forces and fields they produce. While electricity and magnetism were historically viewed as distinct phenomena, they were finally recognized as interrelated in the 19th century. This was further solidified in 1905 when Albert Einstein’s special theory of relativity proved they are aspects of a single common phenomenon.
The distinction between the two lies in the state of the charges involved. Electric forces are produced by charges whether they are at rest or in motion. In contrast, magnetic forces are produced exclusively by moving charges and only act upon charges that are already in motion. Despite this shared origin, they behave differently enough at a practical level to require separate equations for calculation.
The sheer strength of these forces is staggering. Because electric forces govern the physical and chemical properties of atoms and molecules, they are enormously stronger than gravity. To illustrate this scale, if just one electron were missing from every billion molecules of two 70-kilogram (154-pound) people standing two meters apart, the resulting repulsion would reach a force of 30,000 tons.
The interplay between these forces allows for the generation of power. As discovered by the English physicist Michael Faraday, a changing magnetic field produces an electric field. This principle is the fundamental basis for how modern generators power entire cities, converting motion into the electricity that sustains modern technology.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Electromagnetism Explained: The Invisible Force That Powers the World
- Also: Electromagnetism | Definition, Equations, & Facts | Britannica
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