What does electromagnetic mean?
Word: Electromagnetic
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Electromagnetic means to do with both electricity and magnetism, which are closely linked. Light and radio waves are electromagnetic waves.
How do you spell electromagnetic?
Syllables: e - lec - tro - mag - net - ic
Tricky part: Watch the e in net: it is magnetic, not magnatic, because the second half is built on magnet.
Watch out for: electromagnatic, electromegnetic, electormagnetic
Memory tip: The middle beat of magnetic is net, like a fishing net: mag-net-ic, never mag-nat-ic.
Electromagnetic in a sentence
Example 1: Mobile phones send and receive electromagnetic signals.
Example 2: X-rays are a kind of electromagnetic wave that passes through skin far more easily than through bone.
Example 3: Microwave ovens heat food with electromagnetic waves.
Fun Fact
In 1820 the Danish scientist Hans Christian Oersted noticed that a wire carrying a current made a compass needle move, the first sign that electricity and magnetism are linked.
Practise the CREST Way
Sound Check
In which word does the 'g' sound like j?
a) magnetism
b) electromagnetic
c) magic
d) magnet
Show answer
c) magic. Magic has a soft g; in electromagnetic, magnet and magnetism the g is hard.
Word Champ
Read the statements and choose the correct option:
1. An electromagnetic crane in a scrapyard can lift heavy iron. 2. A compass needle always points towards the east. 3. A magnet attracts iron pins.
a) all three are true
b) only 1 and 3 are true
c) only 2 is true
d) only 1 is true
Show answer
b) only 1 and 3 are true. A compass needle points north, not east, so statement 2 is false; statements 1 and 3 are true.
Word Tally
How many words are misspelt in the sentence?
An electromagnetic lock on the school gate opens only when the gaurd presses a buton in his cabbin.
a) 0
b) 1
c) 2
d) 3
Show answer
d) 3. Guard has ua, button has a double t and cabin has one b; electromagnetic is correct.
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) arithmetic
b) photographic
c) electramagnetic
d) electrician
Show answer
c) electramagnetic. The first part is electro, with an o, as in electronic and electrode.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which of these is NOT an electromagnetic wave?
a) a sound wave
b) a radio wave
c) an X-ray
d) visible light
Show answer
a) a sound wave
2. An electromagnet stops working as a magnet when ___.
a) the room is made quieter
b) the wire is made longer
c) the iron core is cooled
d) the current is switched off
Show answer
d) the current is switched off
