Electromagnetism

Electromagnetism is a branch of physics that deals with the interaction between particles with electric charge via electromagnetic fields.⁰²

It is one of the four fundamental forces of nature and is the dominant force in the interactions of atoms and molecules.²

The other three are: gravity, weak nuclear force, and strong nuclear force. All four are responsible for all observations of forces in nature and are characterized by the types of particles that experience the force, the relative strength of the force, the range over which the force is effective, and the nature of the particles that mediate the force.¹

The gravitational force is most familiar to us because it describes so many of our common observations.² All the known forces of nature can be traced to these fundamental forces.¹

Electromagnetism is produced when an electrical current flows through a simple conductor such as a length of wire or cable, and as current passes along the whole of the conductor, a magnetic field is created along the whole of the conductor.

The small magnetic field created around the conductor has a definite direction with both the "North" and "South" poles produced being determined by the direction of the electrical current flowing through the conductor.¹ The electromagnetic force can be attractive or repulsive.⁰