Electromagnetic Field

Electromagnetic field is a field, which is physical in nature and is produced with the help of objects which are electrically charged. If electromagnetic field is present nearby, it causes change in the behaviour of objects if they are charged. Electromagnetic field is present indefinitely in the space and this describes phenomenon of electromagnetic interaction. This is one of forces, which are considered as fundamental forces; other being strong interaction, weak interaction and gravitational force.

Electromagnetic field propagates through electromagnetic radiation and the energy increases with the length as the wavelength decreases. Electromagnetic radiation encompasses many radiations like microwaves, radio waves, visible light, infrared, ultraviolet, gamma rays and X-rays. Electromagnetic field is combination of two fields: electric field and magnetic field, thus being named electromagnetic field.

Stationary charges are responsible for the production of electrical field whereas moving charges produce magnetic field. Moving charge is also known as current. Current and charges interacts with each other and electromagnetic field. Lorentz force law and Maxwell’s equation describe this interaction. One can consider electromagnetic field as continuous and a smooth field that propagates in waves; from classical view. However, electromagnetic field is quantized if one takes into account quantum mechanical view.

Due to these properties, electromagnetic fields find applications in many industries. X-rays are used in radiography as these are high frequency electromagnetic rays. Laser therapy also uses electromagnetic radiations. These rays are also useful in telecommunication, radiometry or laser guided bombs.