Time varying magnetic field and electron

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of a time-varying magnetic field on a static electron, exploring the interplay between the Lorentz force and Faraday's Law. Participants examine the implications of these laws in the context of a stationary charge and seek to clarify the resulting electric fields and forces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion about the behavior of a static electron in a time-varying magnetic field, noting that the Lorentz force would be zero due to the electron's lack of motion.
  • Another participant counters that a time-varying magnetic field generates an electric field, which means the Lorentz force is not necessarily zero, as it includes the electric field component.
  • A third participant acknowledges the oversight regarding the electric field in the Lorentz force equation and indicates an intention to explore the characteristics of the electric field generated by the time-varying magnetic field.
  • Another participant asserts that while there is no Lorentz force on a static electron, there is an electric field force acting on it due to Faraday's Law, citing examples like transformers and betatron accelerators.
  • A mathematical expression of Faraday's Law is presented, indicating the relationship between the electric field and the time-varying magnetic field.
  • A question is posed regarding the specific force on an electron in a defined magnetic field scenario, suggesting further exploration of the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether a static electron experiences a force in a time-varying magnetic field, with some emphasizing the role of the electric field while others maintain that the Lorentz force is zero for a stationary charge. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference specific laws and examples, but there are limitations in the assumptions made regarding the behavior of static charges in varying fields, as well as the dependence on the definitions of the forces involved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to physicists, students, and educators exploring electromagnetic theory, particularly the interactions between electric and magnetic fields and their effects on charged particles.

pedro-filipe
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I am a bit depressed, I have just finished my PhD as a physicist and cannot work out this simple question.

I am trying to find out what happens to a static electron in a time varying magnetic field.

This is my understanding:

There are two laws, the Lorentz's force, for moving charges, and the Faraday's Law for time varying magnetic fields.

The electron is not moving, therefore v=0, and Lorentz force = 0

From the Faraday's law, a time varying magnetic field creates a flow of electrons on a closed circuit. But I am not sure what happens to a lonely charge.

Any help and or corrections is appreciated.

Thanks.
 
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If there is a time-varying magnetic field, then there is an electric field, so the Lorentz force is not zero.
 
I see. Thanks, I was in fact looking at an incomplete formula for the Lorentz formula, without the q E component.

I will try and workout what the E field looks like.

Thanks for your help phyzguy.
 
[tex]\nabla\times{E} = -\frac{\partial{B}}{\partial{t}}[/tex]
 
Extra credit: if B=-t along the positive Z axis, what is the resulting force on an electron located at the origin?
 

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