http://www.ck12.org Chapter 5. Energy
FIGURE 5.184
induction. It occurs when a conductor, such as a wire, crosses lines of force in a magnetic field. This can happen
when a wire is moving relative to a magnet or a magnet is moving relative to a wire.
Summary
- Electricity can be used to produce a magnetic field. Magnetism produced by electricity is called electromag-
netism. - In 1820, Oersted discovered by accident that electric current creates a magnetic field. Prior to that, scientists
thought that electricity and magnetism were unrelated. - Oersted also used a compass to find the direction of the magnetic field around a wire carrying current.
- Around 1830, Michael Faraday discovered that a magnetic field can generate an electric current if a conductor
crosses the lines of force in a magnetic field. This is known as Faraday’s law.
Vocabulary
- electromagnetism: Magnetism produced by electric current.
- Faraday’s law: Law stating that a changing magnetic field produces an electric current in a conductor.