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How did ancient civilizations uncover the mysteries of electromagnetic phenomena?
In ancient times, the nature of electromagnetic phenomena had not yet been revealed, but the observations of various civilizations on these phenomena demonstrated their wisdom. Philosophers of ancient Greece and wise men of ancient China all had a solid understanding of the properties of lightning, static electricity, and magnets. Although they could not explain its internal mechanisms, they used these phenomena for various practical purposes.
“Ancient people discovered the attraction between charged substances, but they explained it more through religious beliefs.”
Thales of ancient Greece was one of the few people who mentioned electrical phenomena early on. His research on the phenomenon of amber generating electric charge after friction with cloth provided the first conceptual step in the foundation of electricity. He also discovered how magnets attract metal objects, and these early observations paved the way for later experiments.
Entering the 19th century, with the advancement of science, our understanding of electricity and magnetism gradually became clearer. Scientists such as André-Marie Ampère and James Clerk Maxwell conducted a series of important experiments that ultimately led to the development of a mathematical theory that described these phenomena. Maxwell's equations unified the relationship between electricity and magnetism, revealing that they are actually different manifestations of the same electromagnetic force.
"Maxwell's equations not only provided the mathematical basis for electromagnetic phenomena, they also predicted the existence of self-sustaining electromagnetic waves."
With the continuous in-depth research of the scientific community, the theory of electromagnetism was further expanded in the 20th century. Einstein's theory of relativity and quantum electrodynamics redefined our understanding of electromagnetic interactions, linking these phenomena more closely to modern physics. In the process, countless new applications have been invented, and electromagnetic phenomena have permeated every aspect of our daily lives, from electricity production to communications technology.
Given the development history of electromagnetism, it is worth thinking about: how will the combination of ancient wisdom and modern technology further affect our future life and understanding?
