[NOTE/EM-01008] How are Fields Produced?

The electric field is produced by charges. And how are the charges produced? The electric charge is never produced or destroyed, it is only transferred from one body to another. One of the ways to have a body charged is by bringing two bodies in touch, or by rubbing them together. In this process, electrical charge transferred from one body to another. Electrons may physically be wiped off one body and get transferred to the another body when they come into contact. Some materials are more inclined to provide electrons than others, and others are more likely to take them. The current from a battery, or a chemical cell, flowing through a coil can be used to produce the magnetic fields. This was the only way the magnetic field was produced in the early days. There are many other ways the electric and magnetic fields are now produced. You will learn about other mechanisms of production of electric and magnetic fields in due course.