Relation between electricity and magnetism

What is electricity?

Electricity is a form of energy that is transmitted through the wires (especially copper wires) for operating the various machines and devices such as lights, fans, refrigerator, computers, television, air conditioner, washing machines, etc.

Electricity is the property of charged particles such as electrons and protons. When these particles are at rest, it is called static electricity. Static electricity occurs due to the existence of charged particles.

On the other hand, when charged particles flow through the conductor, it is called current electricity. Because, when the charged particles flow through the conductor, electricity also flows. We know that current means the flow of anything in a particular direction. For example, the flow of water in a particular direction is called water current. In the similar way, the flow of electricity or charged particles (especially free electrons) in a particular direction is called current electricity or electric current.

What is magnetism?

Magnetism is a type of attractive or repulsive force that acts up to certain distance. The distance up to which this attractive or repulsive force acts is called magnetic field. Magnetism is caused by the moving electric charges (especially electrons). When two magnetic materials are placed close to each other, they experience an attractive or repulsive force.

We know that all the objects in the universe are made of small particles called atoms. The atoms consist of sub atomic particles such as electrons, protons, and neutrons. The strong nuclear force between the protons and neutrons makes them stick together to form nucleus. The electrons present in the atom revolve around the nucleus because of the electrostatic force of attraction between the electrons and nucleus.

The electrons revolving around the nucleus also rotates or spins around its own axis. Because of this spinning of electrons, magnetic field is produced.

If the majority number of electrons in the atom spins in the same direction, a strong magnetic field is produced. The direction of the electrons spin determines the direction of magnetic field.

On the other hand, if the equal number of electrons in the atom spins in the opposite direction, the spinning speed of the electrons cancels out. Thus, the magnetism also cancels out.

Relationship between electricity and magnetism

In the early days scientists believed that, electricity and magnetism are two separate forces. However, after the publication of James Clerk Maxwell, these forces are treated as interrelated forces.

In 1820, Hans Christian Orsted observed a surprising thing, when he switched on the battery from which the electric current is flowing, the compass needle moved away from the point north. After this experiment, he concluded that, the electric current flowing through the wire produces a magnetic field.