What is EMP?

[eniyan]

What is the term EMP?

I have seen in many Hollywood English movies and series like 'Knight Rider', the term EMP. which is destructive wave. I was able to find the EMP is called 'ELectro Magnetic Pulse'. But i dont understand the concept. can anyone tell me in brief about this?

[macfrik]

It's a pulse of electromagnetic radiation that can cause you and your surrounding to become electronic-free for a certain amount of time. What I mean by electronic-free is that you don't have any way to use your gadgets.

[ashirth]

It is not usually for electronic free for certain time. It may cause damage to your electronics permanently too.

The pulse of electromagnetic radiation will boost up any voltage on a circuit, and when the circuit is not capable of withstanding that voltage and current, The device will be destroyed permanently.

[raj]

EMP is a destructive wave that either causes temporary or permanent failure to your electronic gadgets. The EMP can be compared to the nuclear bomb or a strong lightning that spreads around the environment. The EMP causes problem to the entire location.

[seth]

EMP is a progressive wave that is damaging to any electronic device, just by the way their wired. Depending on the nature, it can cause temporary, permenant or explosive damage, with the latter being rare but entirely possible.