Electromagnetic field

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

(Redirected from Electromagnetic fields)

Electromagnetic field (EMF) is a physical field produced by electrically charged objects. It affects the behavior of charged objects in the vicinity of the field. The electromagnetic field extends indefinitely throughout space and describes the electromagnetic interaction. It is one of the four fundamental forces of nature (the others are gravitation, weak interaction and strong interaction).

The field can be viewed as the combination of an electric field and a magnetic field. The electric field is produced by stationary charges, and the magnetic field by moving charges (currents); these two are often described as the sources of the field.

Overview[edit | edit source]

The electromagnetic field can be defined (by the electromagnetic field tensor) as a set of two vector fields: the electric field E and the magnetic field B. The electromagnetic field tensor transforms as a tensor under Lorentz transformation. It is therefore a second-rank tensor (a matrix) under the Lorentz group. It is a symmetric tensor under parity transformation because both E and B are pseudovectors.

Electromagnetic Waves[edit | edit source]

Electromagnetic waves are waves which can travel through the vacuum of outer space. Mechanical waves, unlike electromagnetic waves, require the presence of a material medium in order to transport their energy from one location to another. Sound waves and water waves are examples of mechanical waves. Electromagnetic waves are created by the vibration of an electric charge. This vibration creates a wave which has both an electric and a magnetic component. An electromagnetic wave transports its energy through a vacuum at a speed of 3.00 x 108 m/s (a speed value commonly represented by the symbol c).

Health Effects[edit | edit source]

There is some scientific evidence that electromagnetic fields can affect human health. However, the evidence is not strong enough to conclude that they cause health problems in humans. The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified electromagnetic fields as "possibly carcinogenic to humans". This means that there is some evidence that electromagnetic fields can cause cancer in humans, but it is not strong enough to make a definitive conclusion.

See Also[edit | edit source]

Electromagnetic field Resources
Wikipedia
WikiMD
Navigation: Wellness - Encyclopedia - Health topics - Disease Index‏‎ - Drugs - World Directory - Gray's Anatomy - Keto diet - Recipes

Search WikiMD

Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD

WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Let Food Be Thy Medicine
Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates

Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.

Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD