If you had a “microcircuit” sitting around nothing would happen to it.Not from what I've read on the subject.
Think about how sensitive computer chips are to static electricity. If you've ever installed such chips (CPUs, memory, etc.) in a computer, you undoubtedly know that you're suppose to take every possible precaution to avoid generating any electrical discharge.
An EMP doesn't have to generate much of a spike to burn out an integrated circuit.
Something heavy like an electric motor would not be affected.Agreed.
If a microcircuit was sitting on the sidewalk the EMP pulse would raise the Vcc and Gnd pins to the same potential, no current would flow. At that scale, all the pins would be the same. Sort of like dropping it on a car battery terminal- though the battery can supply hundreds of amps, no current would flow between pins.
Connect ONE pin to Gnd and connect another to a TV antenna and you’ll get current flow.