What is electromagnetism and how does it work?

Electromagnetism is the branch of physics that deals with the interaction between electrically charged particles.

Electromagnetism is a fundamental force of nature that governs the behavior of electrically charged particles. It is responsible for the attraction and repulsion of charged particles, the formation of electric and magnetic fields, and the propagation of electromagnetic waves. The force of electromagnetism is mediated by the exchange of photons, which are particles of light.

Electricity and magnetism are intimately connected, and the two phenomena are different aspects of the same underlying force. When an electric current flows through a wire, it creates a magnetic field around the wire. Conversely, when a magnetic field changes over time, it induces an electric current in a nearby wire.

Electromagnetism is essential to many technological applications, including electric motors, generators, transformers, and telecommunications. It is also the basis for our understanding of light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation, which are used in medical imaging, remote sensing, and many other fields.

The laws of electromagnetism are described by Maxwell's equations, a set of four equations that relate the electric and magnetic fields to the sources of those fields, namely electric charges and currents. These equations have been tested and verified to an extraordinary degree of accuracy, and they are considered to be one of the cornerstones of modern physics.