electromagnetic

e-lec-tro-mag-net-ic · adjective

imported

Definitions

adjective

  1. 1.

    Relating to the interrelation of electric currents or fields and magnetic fields.

  2. 2.

    Relating to electromagnetism as a branch of physics.

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    electromagnetic field — a field produced by electrically charged objects
  • •
    electromagnetic radiation — energy traveling through space as waves
  • •
    electromagnetic spectrum — the range of all types of electromagnetic radiation
  • •
    electromagnetic pulse (EMP) — a burst of electromagnetic energy

Related words

See also: electric, magnetic, magnetism, radiation

Etymology

From electro- (combining form relating to electricity, from Greek elektron "amber") + magnetic (from Greek magnetikos, from Magnesia, a region in ancient Greece where magnetic iron ore was found). First used in the early 19th century following Hans Christian Oersted's discovery of the relationship between electricity and magnetism in 1820.