Oersted experiment

Oersted's experiment is a historical experiment conducted by Hans Christian Ørsted in 1820 that demonstrated the relationship between electricity and magnetism.

Description of the experiment

Ørsted was investigating the relationship between electricity and magnetism when he conducted the following experiment:

1. placed an electric current in a horizontal cable.
2. Near the cable, placed a compass.
3. When the electric current flowed through the cable, the compass needle was diverted.

Experiment results

Ørsted observed that the compass needle was diverted in a specific direction, depending on the direction of the electric current. This showed that electricity can produce a magnetic field.

Consequences of the experiment

Oersted's experiment had a significant impact on understanding the relationship between electricity and magnetism. He showed that electricity and magnetism are related and that electricity can produce a magnetic field.

Importance of the experiment

Oersted's experiment is considered one of the most important experiments in the history of physics. He demonstrated the relationship between electricity and magnetism and laid the foundations for the electromagnetic theory of James Clerk Maxwell.

Electromagnetic theory

Maxwell's electromagnetic theory describes the relationship between electricity and magnetism. It establishes that electricity and magnetism are two aspects of the same phenomenon, the electromagnetic field. Maxwell's theory predicts the existence of electromagnetic waves, which spread through space and can be detected as light, radio, etc.

In summary, Oersted's experiment demonstrated the relationship between electricity and magnetism and laid the foundations for Maxwell's electromagnetic theory. It is considered one of the most important experiments in the history of physics.