Term: electromagnetic field
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.08802

Definition:
Physical field composed of two interconnected, mutually orthogonal fields, an electric field and a magnetic field, which mediates interactions of charged, dipolar and multipolar objects.

Note: The electromagnetic field produced by one charged or polar object affects other charged or polar objects, which is the essence of electromagnetic interaction - one of the four basic forces in nature.

Source: PAC, 2022, 94, 15. 'Glossary of terms relating to electronic, photonic and magnetic properties of polymers (IUPAC Recommendations 2021)' on page 27 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2020-0501)

Citation: 'electromagnetic field' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.08802

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