Magnetic field strength and distance

In summary, the gravitational force is divided by distance squared and the equivalent divisor for a fixed bar magnet is distance cubed. The magnetic field is proportional to 1/r^3, as shown in examples such as the field along the axis of a circular current loop or by considering the magnet as two opposite polarity magnetic monopoles.
  • #1
julianbury
3
0
Gravitational force is divided by distance squared.

What is the equivalent divisor for a fixed bar magnet?

Thank you for your kind attention :-)

(-_-)
 
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  • #2
A bar magnet is approximately a magnetic dipole. Far from a dipole, the field goes like [itex]1/r^3[/itex].
 
  • #3
Hello jtbell :-)

Math is not my forte so please allow to confirm:

the divisor for magnetic field strength is distance cubed?

Or have I misunderstood?

(-_-)
 
  • #4
Why the magnetic field is propotional to [tex]1/r^3[/tex] .
Can you prove it?
 
  • #5
julianbury said:
the divisor for magnetic field strength is distance cubed?

Yes.

IPhO' 2008 said:
Why the magnetic field is propotional to [tex]1/r^3[/tex] .
Can you prove it?

See for example the field along the axis of a circular current loop, another example of a magnetic dipole:

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/%E2%80%8Chbase/magnetic/curloo.html#c3

and take the limit as z >> R.

Or you can pretend that the magnet consists of two opposite polarity magnetic monopoles and calculate the field on analogy with an electric dipole (two opposite charges separated by distance d). Find the vector sum of fields from the two monopoles and take the limit as r >> d. It's probably easiest to do this along the axis of the dipole, or along a line perpendicular to the midpoint of the dipole.
 
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1. What is magnetic field strength?

Magnetic field strength is a measure of the intensity or power of a magnetic field. It is typically expressed in units of Tesla (T) or Gauss (G).

2. How is magnetic field strength measured?

Magnetic field strength can be measured using a device called a magnetometer, which detects the force or torque exerted by a magnetic field on a magnet. It can also be calculated using mathematical equations based on the distance from the source of the magnetic field and the strength of the magnetic source.

3. How does distance affect magnetic field strength?

The strength of a magnetic field decreases as distance from the source increases. This is due to the fact that the magnetic field spreads out and becomes less concentrated as it moves away from the source.

4. What is the relationship between magnetic field strength and distance?

The relationship between magnetic field strength and distance is inverse square, meaning that as the distance from the source doubles, the magnetic field strength decreases by a factor of four. This relationship is described by the inverse square law.

5. How does magnetic field strength affect objects at different distances?

Objects that are closer to a source of magnetic field will experience a stronger force or torque than objects that are farther away. This is why objects are more likely to stick to a magnet when they are close to it, and why the Earth's magnetic field has a greater influence on objects near the surface compared to objects in space.

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