Magnetic field at a dipole (how many atoms surround the dipole?)

In summary, the magnetic field at a given spin in a paramagnetic material is determined by the presence of nearby spins. The number of nearby spins may vary depending on the specific arrangement of the material. The magnetic field from the dipole itself can be neglected. A computer simulation or model may be helpful in accurately calculating the magnetic field.
  • #1
pearapple
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Homework Statement


Consider a paramagnetic material. The magnetic field generated by each dipole in the material is 1/30 T.

What is the magnetic field at a given spin, due to the presence of nearby spins?


Homework Equations




The Attempt at a Solution


So I need to multiply 1/30 by however many spins are nearby.

But I'm not sure how many this would be. If the paramagnetic material is in a crystal, then there are 8 dipoles around it, but there are also dipoles below and underneath it. Which ones do I count as 'nearby'? What is the total number of dipoles?

Also, I'm measuring the magnetic field at one particular dipole. So the magnetic field from that dipole doesn't count, right?
 
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  • #2


Thank you for your question. The number of nearby spins that contribute to the magnetic field at a given spin will depend on the specific arrangement of the paramagnetic material. In a crystal structure, as you mentioned, there are typically 8 nearest neighbor spins. However, there may also be additional spins that are further away but still contribute to the overall magnetic field. Without knowing the specific arrangement of the material, it is difficult to determine the exact number of nearby spins.

As for the magnetic field from the dipole itself, it can be neglected since it will not have a significant effect on the overall magnetic field. The magnetic field from the dipole will be much weaker compared to the magnetic field from the nearby spins.

In order to accurately calculate the magnetic field at a given spin, it may be helpful to use a computer simulation or model that takes into account the specific arrangement of the material and the contributions from nearby spins. I hope this helps answer your question. Best of luck with your research!
 

1. What is a dipole in terms of magnetism?

A dipole is a pair of equal and opposite magnetic poles, such as a north and south pole, separated by a small distance. It is a fundamental concept in magnetism and is used to describe the magnetic field of a magnet.

2. How is the magnetic field at a dipole calculated?

The magnetic field at a dipole is calculated using the formula B = μ0 * m / (4 * π * r^3), where B is the magnetic field strength, μ0 is the permeability of free space, m is the magnetic dipole moment, and r is the distance from the dipole.

3. How does the number of atoms surrounding a dipole affect its magnetic field?

The number of atoms surrounding a dipole does not directly affect its magnetic field. However, the arrangement and alignment of these atoms can influence the overall strength and direction of the dipole's magnetic field.

4. Can a dipole have an uneven distribution of atoms?

Yes, a dipole can have an uneven distribution of atoms. This can result in a non-uniform magnetic field, where the strength and direction of the field vary at different points around the dipole.

5. How does the strength of a dipole's magnetic field change with distance?

The strength of a dipole's magnetic field decreases with distance according to the inverse cube law. This means that the field strength decreases as the distance from the dipole increases, and the rate of decrease is proportional to the inverse of the distance cubed.

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