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• In Germany he met Johann Wilhelm Ritter, a physicist who believed there was a connection between electricity and magnetism. Ritter was then publishing on the chemical effects of current electricity. He was able to focus Ørsted’s attention on the forces of chemical affinity and their relationship to electricity.

• Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, North Macedonia. In 1820, Ørsted published his discovery that a compass needle was deflected from magnetic north by a nearby electric current, confirming a direct relationship between electricity and magnetism. The often reported story that Ørsted made this discovery incidentally during a lecture is a myth.

• Ørsted's conversations with Ritter drew him into the study of physics. He became a professor at the University of Copenhagen in 1806 and continued research on electric currents and acoustics. Under his guidance the university developed a comprehensive physics and chemistry program and established new laboratories.

The connection between electricity and magnetism was discovered by famous Danish chemist and physicist, Hans Christian Orsted in 1819. He was born on Aug 14, 1777 in Denmark.

In Germany he met Johann Wilhelm Ritter, a physicist who believed there was a connection between electricity and magnetism. Ritter was then publishing on the chemical effects of current electricity. He was able to focus Ørsted’s attention on the forces of chemical affinity and their relationship to electricity.

Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje, North Macedonia. In 1820, Ørsted published his discovery that a compass needle was deflected from magnetic north by a nearby electric current, confirming a direct relationship between electricity and magnetism. The often reported story that Ørsted made this discovery incidentally during a lecture is a myth.

Key Takeaways: Electricity and Magnetism Electricity and magnetism are two related phenomena produced by the electromagnetic force. Together, they form electromagnetism. A moving electric charge generates a magnetic field. A magnetic field induces electric charge movement, producing an electric current.

• Hans Christian Ørsted discovered that electric currents create magnetic fields, which was the first connection found between electricity and magnetism. He is still known today for Oersted ‘s Law and the oersted (Oe), the cgs unit of magnetic H-field strength, is named after him.

• The English physicist Michael Faraday went on to explain the relationship between electricity and magnetism further. According to him, if magnetic fields are changed through a loop of wire, then electric current will be produced within the wire. There is a relationship between magnetism and electricity, as both use positive and negative forces.