Editing Electromagnetic propulsion (section)

{{Short description|Propulsion or acceleration using electromagnetic force}}
'''Electromagnetic propulsion''' ('''EMP''') is the principle of [[accelerating]] an object by the utilization of a flowing [[electrical current]] and [[magnetic fields]]. The [[electric current|electrical current]] is used to either create an opposing magnetic field, or to [[Electric charge|charge]] a field, which can then be repelled. When a current flows through a [[electrical conductor|conductor]] in a magnetic field, an electromagnetic force known as a [[Lorentz force]], pushes the conductor in a direction perpendicular to the conductor and the magnetic field. This repulsing force is what causes propulsion in a system designed to take advantage of the phenomenon. The term electromagnetic propulsion (EMP) can be described by its individual components: [[electromagnetism|electromagnetic]]{{snd}}using electricity to create a magnetic field, and propulsion{{snd}}the process of propelling something. When a fluid (liquid or gas) is employed as the moving conductor, the propulsion may be termed [[magnetohydrodynamic drive]]. One key difference between EMP and propulsion achieved by electric motors is that the electrical energy used for EMP is not used to produce [[rotational energy]] for motion; though both use magnetic fields and a flowing electrical current.

The science of electromagnetic propulsion does not have origins with any one individual and has  application in many different fields. The thought of using magnets for propulsion continues to this day and has been dreamed of since at least 1897 when John Munro published his fictional story "A Trip to Venus".<ref>{{cite book | last = Munro | first = John | title = A Trip to Venus | publisher = Jarrold & Sons | location = London | year = 1897 | pages = 26–28 | edition = 2007 IndyPublish |url=https://archive.org/details/atriptovenus13716gut}}</ref> can be seen in [[Maglev (transport)|maglev trains]] and military [[railgun]]s. Other applications that remain not widely used or still in development include [[ion thruster]] for low orbiting satellites and [[magnetohydrodynamic drive]] for ships and submarines.