Electricity and Magnetism
Electricity and magnetism are two related fundamental forces in nature. They are both responsible for a range of effects, and together their interaction forms what we refer to as electromagnetism. Electricity and magnetism have been studied for centuries, and most laws of modern electricity and magnetism were first established by Englishman Michael Faraday in the early 19th Century.
Electricity is the name given to the flows of charged particles, either electrons or protons. Electric charges are of two kinds: Positive and negative. An electric circuit is an arrangement of connected conductors in which electrons flow from one point to another as a result of an electric potential difference, or voltage. Magnetic fields, on the other hand, are created by current-carrying long thin wires and are detected by tiny coils, known as magnetic fields. The flux of a magnet is a measure of the magnetic field created by the flow of electric current.
Electric and magnetic fields interact with one another and in turn cause each other to vary in different ways. This interaction between electricity and magnetism is what creates electricity and magnetism and their combined effects. One of the most important effects of this electromagnetic interaction is the creation of electrical power. All electrical power generation and transmission is based upon the principles of electromagnetism. The strength of the electric and magnetic fields is also measured in terms of the force they create.
The fundamental physical constant that relates electricity to magnetism is called the magnetic permeability. The magnetic permeability is the ratio between an applied magnetic field and the resulting magnetic flux. Measured in units of Henrys, the magnetic permeability is used to calculate the strength of an electric and magnetic field, and thus to calculate the power stored in them.
The most common measure of electricity and magnetism is the electrical conductivity. This measure is determined by the amount of current flowing in a certain material, and is typically measured in units of ohms per cm. Different materials have different conductivities, depending on the particular arrangement of their atoms and their electrical and magnetic structure.
Electric and magnetic fields cause a variety of effects which are used in many different ways. Examples of these effects can be found in electrical wiring and electronic circuits, optics, and in motors and generators. There are a number of different types of electricity and magnetism, the most important being static electricity, alternating current, and direct current.
The ability of electricity and magnetism to interact with one another and to cause various effects has allowed scientists to study the effects of these forces in many different ways. Researchers often use instruments such as voltmeters and ammeters, coil generators, and magnetometers to measure the strength of the electric and magnetic fields. By studying the effects of electricity and magnetism, scientists can gain a better understanding of the physical world around them and how it works.