Magnetism vs. Electromagnetism — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 14, 2024
Magnetism refers to the force exerted by magnets, attracting or repelling objects, while electromagnetism encompasses all interactions between electric charges, including magnetism.
Difference Between Magnetism and Electromagnetism
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Magnetism is a natural phenomenon associated with magnetic fields, which arise from the motion of electric charges, thus attracting or repelling other magnetic materials. Electromagnetism, on the other hand, is a broader scientific field that combines both electric and magnetic forces into a single theory.
Magnets produce a magnetic field due to the alignment of their internal magnetic moments or spins, even in the absence of an external electric current. Electromagnetic fields, however, are generated by moving electric charges and are described comprehensively by Maxwell's equations.
Magnetic forces are part of the electromagnetic force, one of the four fundamental forces of nature, specifically affecting materials sensitive to magnetism such as iron. Electromagnetism also includes electric forces, which act between any particles possessing electric charge.
In magnetism, materials can be classified as ferromagnetic, diamagnetic, or paramagnetic based on their reaction to magnetic fields. In electromagnetism, materials respond to both electric and magnetic fields, which can induce currents, voltages, and other magnetic fields.
Practical applications of magnetism include compasses and magnetic storage media. Electromagnetic applications are broader, including telecommunications, motors, and generators, showcasing its more extensive influence on technology and daily life.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Force due to magnetic fields from aligned spins
Theory of interactions between electric and magnetic fields
Source of Fields
Permanent magnets or natural magnetic materials
Moving electric charges and magnets
Fundamental Forces
Part of electromagnetic force
Includes all electric and magnetic phenomena
Affected Materials
Ferromagnetic, paramagnetic, diamagnetic
All materials with electric charge or magnetic properties
Typical Applications
Magnetic locks, compasses
Electrical engineering, communications technology
Compare with Definitions
Magnetism
Characteristic of attracting interest or attention metaphorically.
His charismatic magnetism draws a large audience.
Electromagnetism
Fundamental force incorporating both electricity and magnetism.
Electromagnetism is one of the four fundamental forces in physics.
Magnetism
Property of materials to exert attractive or repulsive forces.
The magnetism of a bar magnet can be demonstrated using iron filings.
Electromagnetism
Influence on technological and industrial applications.
Electromagnetism is crucial in the design of transformers and inductors.
Magnetism
Inherent ability of some materials to generate a magnetic field.
Earth’s core creates magnetism that aligns compass needles.
Electromagnetism
Theoretical framework explained by Maxwell's equations.
Maxwell’s equations form the foundation of electromagnetism.
Magnetism
Study of magnetic fields and their effects.
He studied the magnetism of rare earth elements for his thesis.
Electromagnetism
Science dealing with electromagnetic forces and their applications.
Electromagnetism covers everything from radio waves to the behavior of circuits.
Magnetism
Magnetism is a class of physical attributes that are mediated by magnetic fields. Electric currents and the magnetic moments of elementary particles give rise to a magnetic field, which acts on other currents and magnetic moments.
Electromagnetism
Phenomenon whereby electric currents produce magnetic fields.
Electromagnetism allows an electric motor to convert electrical energy to mechanical.
Magnetism
The class of phenomena exhibited by a magnetic field.
Electromagnetism
Electromagnetism is a branch of physics involving the study of the electromagnetic force, a type of physical interaction that occurs between electrically charged particles. The electromagnetic force is carried by electromagnetic fields composed of electric fields and magnetic fields, and it is responsible for electromagnetic radiation such as light.
Magnetism
The study of magnets and their effects.
Electromagnetism
The physics of electricity and magnetism.
Magnetism
The force exerted by a magnetic field.
Electromagnetism
An interaction between electricity and magnetism, as when an electric current or a changing electric field generates a magnetic field, or when a changing magnetic field generates an electric field.
Magnetism
Unusual power to attract, fascinate, or influence
The magnetism of money.
Electromagnetism
A unified fundamental force that combines the aspects of electricity and magnetism and is one of the four fundamental forces. (technically it can be unified with weak nuclear to form electroweak) Its gauge boson is the photon.
Magnetism
Animal magnetism.
Electromagnetism
Electricity and magnetism, collectively, as a field of study.
Magnetism
(physics) The property of being magnetic.
Electromagnetism
Magnetism produced by an electric current;
Electromagnetism was discovered when it was observed that a copper wire carrying an electric current can magnetize pieces of iron or steel near it
Magnetism
(physics) The science which treats of magnetic phenomena.
Electromagnetism
The branch of physics concerned with electromagnetic phenomena
Magnetism
Power of attraction; power to excite the feelings and to gain the affections.
Magnetism
Animal magnetism.
Magnetism
The property, quality, or state, of being magnetic; the manifestation of the force in nature which is seen in a magnet. At one time it was believed to be separate from the electrical force, but it is now known to be intimately associated with electricity, as part of the phenomenon of electromagnetism.
Magnetism
The science which treats of magnetic phenomena.
Magnetism
Power of attraction; power to excite the feelings and to gain the affections.
Magnetism
Attraction for iron; associated with electric currents as well as magnets; characterized by fields of force
Magnetism
The branch of science that studies magnetism
Magnetism
Phenomenon related to the magnetic force itself.
Magnetism keeps the refrigerator door closed.
Common Curiosities
How did the discovery of electromagnetism impact science?
The discovery of electromagnetism unified the understanding of electric and magnetic forces, leading to numerous technological advancements.
Can electromagnetism exist without magnetism?
No, magnetism is an integral aspect of electromagnetism, as moving electric charges inherently produce magnetic fields.
What are some everyday applications of magnetism and electromagnetism?
Magnetism is used in magnetic storage media and sensors, while electromagnetism is vital in telecommunications and electrical power generation.
What is the role of Maxwell's equations in electromagnetism?
Maxwell's equations are the foundation of electromagnetism, describing how electric and magnetic fields are generated by charges and currents, as well as how they interact with each other.
How do electric charges produce magnetic fields?
Electric charges produce magnetic fields when they move, such as in an electric current, creating dynamic magnetic fields that interact with other charges and magnetic fields.
What is the relationship between magnetism and electromagnetism?
Magnetism is a part of electromagnetism, which encompasses both magnetic and electric phenomena.
What are the environmental impacts of electromagnetism?
Electromagnetism itself doesn't directly impact the environment; however, the generation and use of electromagnetic energy can have environmental implications, such as electromagnetic pollution and energy consumption impacts.
How do magnets work in terms of electromagnetism?
Magnets work by aligning the magnetic moments of electrons, creating a consistent magnetic field, a concept explained by electromagnetism.
How does electromagnetism affect daily life?
Electromagnetism affects daily life in numerous ways, from powering household appliances and communication devices to enabling transportation systems and medical technologies like MRI machines.
What are ferromagnetic materials and how are they related to electromagnetism?
Ferromagnetic materials, like iron and nickel, exhibit strong magnetic properties due to their atomic structure and are significantly influenced by electromagnetic theories, which describe how these materials can be magnetized.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
