Commonly Asked Questions in Physics

Chapter 2

Electromagnetism and Electronics

In the twenty-first century, it’s hard to imagine our lives without electronic devices. Most of us have become pretty dependent on our computers, cell phones, and various kinds of media players. Electronic devices are used by businesses not only for communication but also for design and manufacturing. Simpler electric-powered machines, from large motors to household appliances, have been around since long before the modern revolution in electronics. In this chapter we’ll deal with some basic questions about electricity and magnetism, which are closely related to one another and have the same fundamental origin. Along the way we’ll also address questions about some of the applications that touch your ...