Electromagnetism is a single force responsible for phenomena including electric charge and the push-and-pull of magnets. In simple terms, the flow of electricity can generate a magnetic field, and a changing magnetic field can generate an electric current. An EMP is essentially a very powerful and directed magnetic field that passes over an area. As it passes, it interacts with conductive materials and causes short-circuits and power surges.
Many things can be included under the umbrella of “conductive materials.” Semiconductors are an obvious example. These chips — which are critical for controlling everything from phones and cars, to guided missiles and the power grid — have grown ever smaller, relying on thinner and more delicate precision components to function. An EMP can overwhelm these components, destroying them outright.
Other conductive materials of import may be less obvious. Buried critical infrastructure like power lines, pipes, and conduit can all become charged from an EMP. This charge will then flow down the path of least resistance until its fully discharged, which could mean overloading things like generators that weren’t even within the range of the EMP blast radius.
While there are ways to shield against an EMP blast, these methods are generally expensive, impractical, or both for most everyday applications. Even though EMP weapons are sometimes touted as non-destructive and non-lethal alternatives, the reality is that the chaos they would unleash — hospitals without electricity, no traffic lights, midflight loss of airplane controls — would be devastating.
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