What is electromagnetic theory? As scientists begin to learn more about how electromagnetism plays a role not just on Earth, but in the universe, this question becomes increasingly important to answer. From helping to uncover gravitational waves to its implications for AI in the future, this theory has yet to uncover all of its secrets. For now, this short primer will help you understand the theory and its implications.
Principles of Electromagnetism
The term refers to the basics of electromagnetism, which have been collected into one theory for the purposes of brevity. Principles covered by this theory include:
- electrostatics
- the electric and magnetic properties that are attributed to matter
- electromagnetic induction, and more
While the theory is a term that is growing in popularity, it’s more common with scientists than non-scientists. It’s been used as an alternate to the use of the word electromagnetism in articles and blog posts. It is also considered an advanced subject that’s routinely taught in the senior levels of undergraduate study and at the graduate level.
Physics Subfield
Electromagnetism and the theory named after it is a subfield of physics that has a focus of study on electromagnetic force. This is a type of physical interaction that is listed among the four fundamental interactions in nature. The most common visual we have for electromagnetism is lightning, which is simply an electrostatic discharge. It appears in the form of light that travels from one charged region to another. It is also one of the most exciting fields in physics today. Electromagnetism and its principles affect everyday life in that it determines the internal properties of objects. It’s imperative that scientists continue to study the principles and learn how to use it to better mankind.
Brain Function
The brain itself is still a mystery to those in the medical and scientific fields. Scientists are currently working on a subset of the theory of electromagnetism, known as the theories of consciousness, to that effect. It is widely hypothesized that the electromagnetic field, or EM field, that is found in the brain may be the home to consciousness. Electromagnetism is defined as the force between subatomic particles that hold matter together. It is then plausible to believe that the EM field could hold all the information located in the brain. That, in turn, could correlate to free will and consciousness.
Impact on Artificial Intelligence
Scientists have long been working on making artificial intelligence conscious. But without the theory of electromagnetism, the efforts could be curbed. This is because, as explained above, the EM field in the brain could have an effect on conscious will. Because artificial intelligence does not yet have free will, using artificial EM fields to recreate the same conditions as in the brain may unlock both the secrets of the brain and the key to consciousness. There is, however, no set theory on how to create an EM field or whether EM fields in the brain affect free will. Scientists doing research to see if the relationship is viable and could be lab-created in order to test it on artificial intelligence.
Electromagnetism has several implications for society. From Albert Einstein’s theory of special relativity to the relationship between electromagnetic currents and weather, understanding this concept is crucial for everyday life. Now that the answer to what is electromagnetic theory has been sufficiently answered, it is possible for you to determine if this is the right physics specialty for you.
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