The definition of electromagnetic force from dictionary.com is the fundamental force that is associated with electric and magnetic fields and is responsible for atomic structure, chemical reactions, the attractive and repulsive forces associated with electrical charge and magnetism, and all other electromagnetic phenomena. It is carried by the photon. My definition is simply opposites attract and likes repel. (positive charges and negative charges) Probably the most popular example of this is magnets. Everybody has experimented with magnets and fought to get the two magnets to touch when like charges are pushed together. Another real life example is static electricity. Static electricity is created when two objects are rubbed together. During this process electrons are transferred from one material to the other. This causes the materials to be of opposite charges and are therefore attracted to one another by electromagnetic force. The idea of electromagnetic force has been used to create objects such as magnets and fire door holders. Electromagnetic door holders are attatched to a door and the magnet closes the door when the fire alarm goes off to prevent the spreading of a fire. One other way that electromagneric force is used is in traffic lights. A loop of electrically conducting material is buried underneath the pavement and when a car drives over it it causes a disturbance in the signal which results in the light changing.
If you are interested in learning more about how a traffic light works click on this link.
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4 comments:
I didn't know the electromagnetic force caused trafic lights to go off. You're link is really helpful because I never really understood how traffic lights work. To tell the truth i never really thought about it or wondered.
I really liked your example of the magnets, it really explained it well.
Wierd. Where did you find out the traffic light info, because it's really interesting. I may have to look into it.
The traffic light thing was really cool. I never really thought about how those work.
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