An electromagnetic field can be thought of as a single more complete object than its component electric and magnetic fields.
An electromagnetic field propagates through space in the form of bundles of energy called photons which are configured as electromagnetic waves, the force carriers of radiant energy (electromagnetic radiation).
- An electromagnetic field results from the coupling of an electric field and a magnetic field.
- When an electromagnetic field experiences a change in voltage or current its reconfiguration into an electromagnetic wave can be described in terms of changes in wavelength, frequency and energy.
- An electromagnetic wave can be thought to come into existence when a static electric field experiences a change in voltage or a static magnetic field experiences a change in current, producing radiating oscillations of electromagnetic energy that propagate through space.
- The difference between an electromagnetic field and an electromagnetic wave is that the wave has a non-zero frequency component which is the source of the energy it transports.
- Electromagnetic radiation is essentially the result of an oscillating electromagnetic field propagating through a vacuum, air or solid material .
Related diagrams
Each diagram below can be viewed on its own page with a full explanation.
An electromagnetic field can be thought of as a single more complete object than its component electric and magnetic field. It propagates through space in the form of bundles of energy called photons which are configured as electromagnetic waves, the force carriers of radiant energy (electromagnetic radiation).
- An electromagnetic field results from the coupling of an electric and magnetic field.
- When an electromagnetic field experiences a change in voltage or current its reconfiguration into an electromagnetic wave can be described in terms of wavelength, frequency and energy.
- An electromagnetic wave can be thought to come into existence when a static electric field experiences a change in voltage or a static magnetic field experiences a change in current producing radiating oscillations of electromagnetic energy that propagate through space.
- The difference between an electromagnetic field and an electromagnetic wave is that the wave has a non-zero frequency component which is the source of the energy it transports.
- Electromagnetic radiation is essentially the result of an oscillating electromagnetic field propagating through space.