Electric Field vs Magnetic Field vs Electromagnetic waves

In summary: Magnetic and electric fields are both generated through the movement of charges, but the way they generate waves is different. Magnetic fields are generated by the movement of tiny magnets, while electric fields are generated by the movement of large charges.
  • #1
Jewish_Vulcan
88
4
How are all of the above fields different from each other what makes them what they are?Any comments would be appreciated.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
They are all aspects of the same thing. Colloquially speaking electric fields usually implies static electric fields that do not vary in time (or that vary only very slowly), same for magnetic fields. Colloquially speaking about electromagnetic waves implies that the fields vary with some frequency.

Of course electromagnetic waves are composed of electric and magnetic field components that are coupled...
 
  • #3
M Quack said:
They are all aspects of the same thing. Colloquially speaking electric fields usually implies static electric fields that do not vary in time (or that vary only very slowly), same for magnetic fields. Colloquially speaking about electromagnetic waves implies that the fields vary with some frequency.

Of course electromagnetic waves are composed of electric and magnetic field components that are coupled...
Your explanation is a little vague for me to understand,so correct me if I'm wrong but are electric and magnetic fields an electromagnetic wave with different frequencies?
 
  • #5
A field determines what a test particle would report for all positions in the field. A magnetic test particle is not an electric charge test particle and they will not be affected by the other field.

A radiation field is described by a radiation detector. A gravity field is described by a gravity detector. And so on.
 
  • #6
  • #8
Just be careful how you internally visualize the generation of waves.
 

Related to Electric Field vs Magnetic Field vs Electromagnetic waves

What is the difference between an electric field and a magnetic field?

An electric field is a physical field that is created by electrically charged particles. It is a force field that can exert a force on other charged particles within its influence. A magnetic field, on the other hand, is a physical field that is created by moving electrically charged particles. It is a force field that can exert a force on other moving charged particles within its influence. Essentially, the main difference between an electric field and a magnetic field is the source of the field - one is created by stationary charged particles and the other is created by moving charged particles.

How do electromagnetic waves relate to electric and magnetic fields?

Electromagnetic waves are a type of wave that consists of oscillating electric and magnetic fields. These fields are perpendicular to each other and travel through space at the speed of light. They are produced when an electric charge is accelerated or when a changing magnetic field is present. Essentially, electromagnetic waves are the result of the interaction between electric and magnetic fields.

What are some examples of electric and magnetic fields in everyday life?

Electric and magnetic fields are present in many aspects of our daily lives. Some examples include the electric fields produced by household appliances, such as computers and televisions, and the magnetic fields produced by power lines and speakers. They can also be found in nature, such as the Earth's magnetic field and the electric fields produced by lightning.

How are electric and magnetic fields measured?

Electric and magnetic fields are measured using different units. The strength of an electric field is measured in volts per meter (V/m), while the strength of a magnetic field is measured in teslas (T). Both fields can be measured using specialized instruments, such as voltmeters and magnetometers. The strength of an electromagnetic wave, on the other hand, is measured in watts per square meter (W/m^2).

What are some practical applications of electric and magnetic fields?

Electric and magnetic fields have numerous practical applications in our modern world. Some examples include their use in technology, such as in electric motors and generators, as well as in medical imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). They are also used in telecommunications, such as in cell phones and satellite communications. Additionally, electric and magnetic fields are used in research and scientific experiments to study the behavior of charged particles and to create controlled reactions.

Similar threads

  • Electromagnetism
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
41
Views
3K
Replies
6
Views
261
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
2
Views
465
Replies
1
Views
169
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
2
Views
871
Replies
10
Views
1K
Replies
9
Views
2K
Replies
22
Views
2K
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
5
Views
401
Back
Top