Eli5 how could an electromagnetic impulse, say from the sun for example, disable a whole power grid?

Question

Eli5 how could an electromagnetic impulse, say from the sun for example, disable a whole power grid?

In: Physics

Answer 1

Electromagnetic radiation is made up of photons. There’s photons interact with pieces of metal in electrical components. These pieces of metal convert the electromagnetic radiation to electrical energy, same way an antenna works. There is too much energy for the electronic components inside the devices, the smoke escapes and you can’t put the smoke back in. If these components as the vital to the power grid, like transformers, no more power grid