Electricity and Magnetism
Discover the invisible forces that power our world
Electricity is tiny bits of charge moving through wires, and it powers almost everything around you. Magnets can push and pull without touching — and the two are secretly connected.
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Electricity is the flow of electric charge, typically carried by moving electrons in a conductor.
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Electric circuits provide a path for electricity to flow and power devices.
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Magnetism is a force that attracts or repels certain materials like iron, nickel, and cobalt.
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Electricity and magnetism are interconnected: moving electric charges create magnetic fields, and changing magnetic fields generate electric currents.
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Electromagnets are created by running electricity through a coil of wire, often wrapped around an iron core.
The Electrifying Connection
For centuries, electricity and magnetism were thought to be separate phenomena. In 1820, Hans Christian Ørsted discovered that an electric current creates a magnetic field. Building on this, Michael Faraday showed that changing magnetic fields could generate electricity. James Clerk Maxwell unified these observations mathematically, revealing that electricity and magnetism are two aspects of a single force: electromagnetism. This understanding led to countless technological innovations, from electric motors to radio communication.
Key figures
Discovered electromagnetic induction in 1831, showing that a changing magnetic field can produce an electric current.
Formulated Maxwell's equations in the 1860s, mathematically unifying electricity and magnetism.
Pioneered alternating current (AC) electrical systems in the late 19th century, which enabled efficient electricity distribution over long distances.
Part of the Physics Playground
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