When understanding electromagnetism there are a few key questions we need to ask ourselves…
- What happens when you have positive or negative charges?
- What happens when they get close?
- What happens when they move?
As we learned in “electricity” charge come in two types, negative and positive, and is measured in Coulombs (C). A charge on its own emits a field (this refers to the electric force per unit) in all directions. The letter “E” (also found in E-lectricity) represents the field emitted by the charge. When we put another charge into this fierce force is experienced. Like charges, eg. Two positive charges, repel, where as, unlike charges, eg. One negative and one positive attract.
A small charge will have a weak force, where as a large charge will have a strong force. Furthermore, distance also affects the strength of the force, the closer the charge, the stronger the force.
Now we are on to our last question, what happens when they move? When charge starts to move it produces another field. This new field is magnetism (represented by a B). So now you know the basics of electromagnetism including what happens when you have positive or negative charges, what happens when they get close and what happens when they move.