Electromagnetism

Electromagnetism is the interaction of electric and magnetic fields with electrically charged matter. Its classical theory unifies electricity, magnetism, and light through Maxwell’s equations.

Maxwell's equations: Four equations relating electric and magnetic fields to electric charge and current. They summarize how fields are sourced, constrained, and changed in classical electromagnetism.
Electric field: A vector field describing the electric force per unit positive charge at each point. It captures the part of electromagnetism produced by charges and changing magnetic fields.
Coulomb's law: A law giving the electrostatic force between two point charges. It quantified electric interactions before the field theory was unified.
Electric generator: A device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy through electromagnetic induction. Generators exploit changing magnetic flux to produce electrical power.
Electrostatics: The study of electric charges and fields that are stationary or change slowly enough to neglect induction. It is the static limiting case of the broader electromagnetic theory.
Lorentz force: The force on a charged particle due to electric and magnetic fields. It specifies how electromagnetic fields exert forces on charged matter.
Magnetic field: A vector field describing magnetic effects on moving charges, currents, and magnetic materials. It captures magnetic interactions within the unified field theory.
Oersted's experiment: A 1820 demonstration that an electric current deflects a compass needle. It established a direct connection between electric currents and magnetism.
Electric motor: A device that converts electrical energy into mechanical motion using electromagnetic forces. Motors use forces on currents and magnetic materials to create motion.
Magnetostatics: The study of steady currents and the magnetic fields they produce. It isolates the static magnetic behavior within electromagnetism.

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