electrodynamics

American  

[ih-lek-troh-dahy-nam-iks] / ɪˌlɛk troʊ daɪˈnæm ɪks /

noun

(used with a singular verb)

1. the branch of physics that deals with the interactions of electric, magnetic, and mechanical phenomena.

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electrodynamics British  

/ ɪˌlɛktrəʊdaɪˈnæmɪks /

noun

1. (functioning as singular) the branch of physics concerned with the interactions between electrical and mechanical forces

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electrodynamics Scientific  

/ ĭ-lĕk′trō-dī-năm′ĭks /

1. The scientific study of electric charge and electric and magnetic fields, along with the forces and motions those fields induce.

2. See also electromagnetism

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Etymology

Origin of electrodynamics

First recorded in 1820–30; electro- + dynamics

Example Sentences

They demonstrated the effectiveness of this algorithm by preparing the vacuum state and hadrons within a one-dimensional version of quantum electrodynamics.

From Science Daily • Nov. 19, 2025

In the Caltech interview, he recalled a paper in which he suggested that gravity could solve some troubling infinities that were showing up in the quantum field theory of electrodynamics.

From New York Times • May 8, 2023

The first thing Mr. Dyson did was write down the conclusions he had reached on his cross-country bus ride, and those concepts evolved into his paper on quantum electrodynamics.

From Washington Post • Feb. 28, 2020

Explain how the smooth curve can be described by classical electrodynamics, whereas the peaks require a quantum mechanical interpretation.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

This caused a lot of trouble when the theory of quantum electrodynamics first came out.

From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife