EMP Full Form

What is the full form of EMP?

The full form of EMP is Electromagnetic Pulse. An EMP or an “Electromagnetic Pulse” is a brief, intense burst of electromagnetic energy. The interference caused by the energy can disrupt communication systems, and at higher energies, it can even damage electronic equipment. An EMP can also occur in the form of an electric field, a magnetic field, or a conducted electric current. Studying the effects and management of EMP is part of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) engineering. The use of EMP is popular as a military weapon in movies and fictional books. Generally used to disrupt the electronic weapons and infrastructure of the enemy by damaging their electrical networks. But often EMP effects are depicted incorrectly in popular media, creating many misconceptions among the public.

This Story also Contains

1. What is Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP)?
2. What are the Characteristics of Pulses?
3. Natural Events Behind the Existence of EMP
4. Manmade Events Behind EMP
5. Behind The Explosions of EMP
6. Where is EMP Used?
7. Myth or Fact?

What is Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP)?

EMP stands for Electromagnetic Pulse is a burst of electromagnetic energy that is caused by the acceleration of charges. As stated above, electromagnetic energy in bursts is EMP. The burst is caused using both natural and artificial causes. The nature of the burst is magnetic, electric, or radiation. The field that is concerned with studying pulses is Electromagnetic compatibility engineering. The EMP has a wide range of frequencies.

What are the Characteristics of Pulses?

The list of general characteristics of pulses is as follows:

1. The duration of the pulse is short. This results in a wide array of the frequencies for the pulse.

2. The energy of the pulse is transferred in three modes, such as electrical, magnetic, and radiation.

3. The pulse is characterized by its shape, duration, and spread of frequencies

Natural Events Behind the Existence of EMP

Many natural events lead to the origin of the EMP. Some of them are as follows:

1. Lighting: The flow of the current is of high magnitude. The discharge is followed by the pulses whose energy goes on decreasing.

2. Electrostatic: The current felt when two bodies come into contact is the result of the electrostatic.

3. Meteors: When there is contact with man-made space objects like spacecraft, there is a burst of energy.

Manmade Events Behind EMP

1. If any of the digital circuits are switched on and off, it can result in the discharge of the pulse.

2. Any nuclear explosion leads to the formation of an EMP.

3. The engines working on gasoline can trigger the pulses.

4. The discharge produced by power lines can destroy the devices.

Behind The Explosions of EMP

An EMP explosion is followed by the discharge of three types of pulses. The pulses are E1, E2, and E3. The pulses produce different types of effects on the devices. The E1 pulse is known as the early-time pulse. This type of wave affects small-level appliances like home appliances, TVs, etc. The second type of pulse is the E2 pulse. The pulses are produced at intermittent times. This can affect the power lines. E3 causes the most damage. They are late-time pulses and can damage large-scale appliances. They affect the transformers and power grid.

Where is EMP Used?

The major use of EMP is as a weapon. They can help to sink any type of ship. Microwave-based weapons are made using EMP. They can be helped to disband the army of the enemies. And the good point of using EMP is there is no need for killing to do disbanding. Any unknown drone can be shot down using EMP.

Myth or Fact?

• Aero planes can fall from the sky in in the event of an EMP burst.
  While the electronics in the plane may get fried, making it uncontrollable, it won’t immediately “fall” from the sky. This doesn’t guarantee that they would be able to land safely though and may cause serious and permanent damage to the plane and the passengers.

• An EMP can affect harm humans.
  Although none of the components of an EMP (E1, E2, E3) would affect the human body as a lightning strike would, the electronic life systems will be damaged. Unless the people are close, they might not know that an EMP was detonated.

• As there are many ways to protect against EMP, there is no need to worry.
  While there are many ways to protect against EMP, they are rarely used, especially in civilian infrastructure. A strong EMP can cause Large scale damage to civilian infrastructure

• Solar storms only affect the side of the Earth that is facing the sun when it reaches earth.
  Solar storms, especially the most severe solar storms, tend to disturb the entire magnetic field of the Earth. The effect of the solar storm tends to be much greater near the geomagnetic poles, but the effects will be much similar on all sides even if they are not facing the sun at that time.