High-intensity electromagnetic radiation generated by a nuclear blast high above the earth's surface and held to disrupt electronic and electrical systems. It is an intense burst of electromagnetic (EM) energy caused by an abrupt, rapid acceleration of charged particles, usually electrons.
The high-altitude nuclear-weapon-generated electromagnetic pulse is one of a small number of threats that has the potential to hold our society seriously at risk, concluded a 2008 EMP Commission report headed by William Graham, a former science adviser to President Reagan. The electromagnetic pulse threat is a function of simple physics: Electromagnetic pulses and geomagnetic storms can alter Earth's magnetic field. Changing magnetic fields in the atmosphere, in turn, can trigger surging currents in power lines. An electromagnetic pulse (commonly abbreviated as EMP, pronounced /iː.ɛm.piː/) is a burst of electromagnetic radiation. Nuclear explosions create a characteristic pulse of electromagnetic radiation called a nuclear EMP or NEMP. In nuclear EMP all of the components of the electromagnetic pulse are generated outside of the weapon. For high-altitude nuclear explosions, much of the EMP is generated far from the detonation (where the gamma radiation from the explosion hits the upper atmosphere). The E1 pulse is the very fast component of nuclear EMP. E1 is a very brief but intense electromagnetic field that induces very high voltages in electrical conductors. E1 causes most of its damage by causing electrical breakdown voltages to be exceeded. In nuclear EMP all of the components of the electromagnetic pulse are generated outside of the weapon. For high-altitude nuclear explosions, much of the EMP is generated far from the detonation (where the gamma radiation from the explosion hits the upper atmosphere). Abstract: An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) over the United States could end modern life in America overnight. Whether caused by an enemy attack (a nuclear device detonated above the atmosphere) or by a natural phenomenon (a geomagnetic storm), an EMP can cause entire regions of the country to lose electricity—permanently.  Definition of ELECTROMAGNETIC PULSE. : high-intensity electromagnetic radiation generated by a nuclear blast high above the earth's surface and held to disrupt electronic and electrical systems. ADVERTISEMENT. Next Word in the Dictionary: electromagnetic radiation Previous Word in the Dictionary: electromagnetic mass All Words Near: ....  An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) is an intense burst of electromagnetic (EM) energy caused by an abrupt, rapid acceleration of charged particles, usually electron s. An EMP can contain energy components over a large part of the EM spectrum, from very-low-frequency (VLF) radio to ultraviolet (UV) wavelength s. A lightning strike produces a localized EMP that gives rise to large electrical current s in nearby wires. According to Wikipedia, an EMP is : also sometimes called a transient electromagnetic disturbance, is a short burst of electromagnetic energy. Such a pulse may occur in the form of a radiated electric or magnetic field or conducted electrical current depending on the source, and may be natural or man-made. The term “electromagnetic pulse” is commonly abbreviated to the acronym EMP (which is pronounced by saying the letters separately, “E-M-P”). In layman’s terms, it is an intense burst of electromagnetic energy caused by an abrupt and rapid acceleration of charged particles. 1 This is the pulse from a nuclear blast or other EMP weapon. 2  An E2 is a bit slower than an E1. 3  A bolt of lightning has the characteristics of an E2. 4  Because of this, E2 are typically the easiest to protect against. 5  But a nuclear blast or EMP weapon has the characteristics of both an E1 and an E2 pulse. Most people today have no idea of what the effects of a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) device would be. An electromagnetic pulse (sometimes abbreviated EMP) is a burst of electromagnetic radiation that results from an explosion (usually from the detonation of a nuclear weapon) and/or a solar flare.  The term electromagnetic pulse is commonly abbreviated to the initialism EMP (which is pronounced by saying the letters separately, E-M-P). An EMP arises where the source emits a short-duration pulse of energy. The energy is usually broadband by nature, although it often excites a relatively narrow-band damped sine wave response in the victim. Some types are generated as repetitive and regular pulse trains. An electromagnetic pulse (EMP), also sometimes called a transient electromagnetic disturbance, is a short burst of electromagnetic energy. Such a pulse may occur in the form of a radiated, electric or magnetic field or a conducted electric current depending on the source, and may be natural or man-made. An EMP arises where the source emits a short-duration pulse of energy. The energy is usually broadband by nature, although it often excites a relatively narrow-band damped sine wave response in the victim. Some types are generated as repetitive and regular pulse trains.
http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/science/2010-10-26-emp_N.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_electromagnetic_pulse https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_electromagnetic_pulse http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2011/08/before-the-lights-go-out-a-survey-of-emp-preparedness-reveals-significant-shortfalls http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electromagnetic%20pulse http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/electromagnetic-pulse-EMP http://graywolfsurvival.com/3761/survive-emp-attack-emp/ http://preparednessadvice.com/nuclear/what-is-emp-electromagnetic-pulse/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_pulse https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_pulse
what is an electromagnetic pulse