Are Electric and Magnetic Fields Always Perpendicular?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between electric fields (E) and magnetic fields (B), specifically questioning whether they are always perpendicular based on a given equation from electromagnetism.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of the equation Curl E = - (partial derivative of B with respect to t) and question whether it necessitates that E and B are always perpendicular. Some participants reference the dot product of E and B to support their points.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes differing viewpoints, with some participants asserting that E and B are not always perpendicular, while others reference mathematical expressions that suggest a perpendicular relationship. There is an ongoing exploration of these interpretations without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating assumptions about the conditions under which E and B may or may not be perpendicular, particularly in the context of time dependence and specific equations in electromagnetism.

janrain
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Does the following equation mean that electric field E and magnetic field B are always perpendicular??
the equation is:
Curl E = - (partial derivative of B with respect to t)
where E is time dependent too.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The simple answer is, No.

JMD
 
right...thank you
 
[tex]\vec E \cdot \vec B = 0[/tex]

say's E & B are 90 degrees to each other.

JMD
 

Similar threads

Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
16
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
14
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K