Electromagnetism

/ɪˌlɛktrəˈmæɡnətɪzəm/ noun

Definition

The science of how electricity and magnetism are connected and how they create forces that affect moving charged particles and metals.

Etymology

Combination of 'electricity' (Greek 'elektron', amber) and 'magnetism' (from Magnesia, an ancient region). Unified as a single force by Maxwell in the 1860s.

Kelly Says

Light itself is actually electromagnetic radiation—what you see is just one tiny slice of electromagnetic waves, with radio waves, microwaves, X-rays, and gamma rays being invisible neighbors in the same spectrum.

Related Words

Explore More Words

Get the Word Orb API

Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.