What is Magnetic field: Definition and 1000 Discussions

A magnetic field is a vector field that describes the magnetic influence on moving electric charges, electric currents, and magnetic materials. A moving charge in a magnetic field experiences a force perpendicular to its own velocity and to the magnetic field. A permanent magnet's magnetic field pulls on ferromagnetic materials such as iron, and attracts or repels other magnets. In addition, a magnetic field that varies with location will exert a force on a range of non-magnetic materials by affecting the motion of their outer atomic electrons. Magnetic fields surround magnetized materials, and are created by electric currents such as those used in electromagnets, and by electric fields varying in time. Since both strength and direction of a magnetic field may vary with location, they are described as a map assigning a vector to each point of space or, more precisely—because of the way the magnetic field transforms under mirror reflection—as a field of pseudovectors.
In electromagnetics, the term "magnetic field" is used for two distinct but closely related vector fields denoted by the symbols B and H. In the International System of Units, H, magnetic field strength, is measured in the SI base units of ampere per meter (A/m). B, magnetic flux density, is measured in tesla (in SI base units: kilogram per second2 per ampere), which is equivalent to newton per meter per ampere. H and B differ in how they account for magnetization. In a vacuum, the two fields are related through the vacuum permeability,




B


/


μ

0


=

H



{\displaystyle \mathbf {B} /\mu _{0}=\mathbf {H} }
; but in a magnetized material, the terms differ by the material's magnetization at each point.
Magnetic fields are produced by moving electric charges and the intrinsic magnetic moments of elementary particles associated with a fundamental quantum property, their spin. Magnetic fields and electric fields are interrelated and are both components of the electromagnetic force, one of the four fundamental forces of nature.
Magnetic fields are used throughout modern technology, particularly in electrical engineering and electromechanics. Rotating magnetic fields are used in both electric motors and generators. The interaction of magnetic fields in electric devices such as transformers is conceptualized and investigated as magnetic circuits. Magnetic forces give information about the charge carriers in a material through the Hall effect. The Earth produces its own magnetic field, which shields the Earth's ozone layer from the solar wind and is important in navigation using a compass.

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  1. C

    Magnetic Field Due to a Curved Wire Segment

    For this problem, The solution is, However, why did they not use limits of integration for the integral in red? When I solved this, I used as limits of integration. I see that is not necessary since you get the same answer either way, but is there a deeper reason? Many thanks!
  2. C

    Magnetic Field Surrounding a Straight Conductor

    For this problem, Part of the solution is, However, would someone please tell me where they got the sine function circled in red from? Many thanks!
  3. J

    Calculating Area & Direction of Magnetic Field

    Hi, the problem statement is above. I have some questions about how to calculate the area and the direction of the magnetic field of this problem. As the magnetic flux, my professor have defined it as Phi= integral(B dS)=(Area)e_x B= (Area_triangle + (L^2/2) *(β + α(t)))*B e_z. How can one know...
  4. sal1854

    I Direction of motion of particles with total spin under magnetic field

    According to Chapter 8 of Griffiths' book Introduction to Electrodynamics, the magnetization force that acts on a magnetic dipole is $$F_M=\nabla (m \cdot B)$$, where ##m## is the magnetic moment and ##B## is the magnetic field. For a paramagnetic or diamagnetic particle...
  5. T

    I Origin of the Earth's magnetic field

    How can the motion of liquid iron consisting of neutral iron atoms in the earth's core create magnetic fields? What am I missing?
  6. Ahmad Sadek

    B Can a rocket flame be controlled by a magnetic field?

    An idea came to my mind after I saw the plasma reactor and how the plasma floats through a magnetic cage that prevents the nuclear reactor from melting, to make a magnetic cage that prevents the rocket engines from melting while they are working. Is this possible, or does it take a critical...
  7. G

    I Magnetic Field vs Spacetime: Effects on Inertia Disk

    By following article a magnetic field can produce a least a minimum distortion in spacetime. If we have a inertia disk spinning 50% inside of a strong closed magnetic field may we suppose that we will create an unbalanced in the angular disc moment producing a propulsion without mass variation...
  8. S

    I How do I visualize the magnetic field?

    Hi! So my question is this, I have done measurements with an magnetic field meter around a transformer from 0.5 meter away (then measure some points around) and then I moved out 0.5 meters and so on until I reached a nearby building. So my issue now is I want to visualize this to my customer...
  9. V

    Why does a diamagnetic rod align perpendicular to a magnetic field?

    I know that each material is made up of tiny magnets due to electrons orbiting the nucleus and also from electron spinning about its own axis. In ferromagnetic or paramagnetic rod these tiny magnets align with the applied field causing the net field in the rod to increase. But for diamagnetic...
  10. S

    I Brownian motion of charged particles?

    If we have charged particles having Brownian motion, would this motion be associated with (or produce) heat or electricity? Would it produce electromagnetic radiation (and if it would produce it, what type of radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum)? Could there be Brownian motion of charged...
  11. gentzen

    I Are there asymptotic QTF/QED states in a constant magnetic field?

    It is "easy" to produce experimental setups that could and should for all practical purposes be described as having a constant background magnetic field everywhere, especially in the "asymptotic region" where the detectors are located. You can do this both in vacuum, and inside a solid sample...
  12. guyvsdcsniper

    Determining Electric and Magnetic field given certain conditions

    I am unsure of my solutions and am looking for some guidance. a.)The real part of the wave in complex notation can be written as ##\widetilde{A} = A^{i\delta}##. Writing the Complex Wave equation, we have ##\vec E(t) = \widetilde{A}e^{(-kz-\Omega t)} \hat x##. Therefore the real part is ##\vec...
  13. S

    I Can trains use permanent magnets to be propelled?

    Can a train (e.g. like a maglev train) use a set of permanent magnets (not electromagnets) that somehow can be propelled and maintain at least a constant speed with them? Is this an example of such system...
  14. C

    I Do objects of differing mass fall at the same rate in a magnetic field?

    Gravity isn't a force in the strictest sense of the word, yet magnetism is exactly that: a force. As is strong, EW, etc. Therefore, it's possible that the more massive magnetic object gets drawn to the center of a magnetic source at a faster rate than the less massive magnetic object. Discuss!
  15. thedubdude

    I Why does metal moving though a magnetic field slow down?

    A piece of metal moving West to East in a North to South fixed magnetic field slows down...but how? Yes of course eddy currents are set up in the metal and these currents generate their own magnetic field which somehow slows down the moving metal piece...but how does this actually slow the...
  16. besebenomo

    Magnetic flux with magnetic field changing direction

    Sorry if I post again about this topic (last time I promise!) but I still have some doubts regarding the concept of flux. This collection of problems I have quite standard but there are so many variations. Here is the circuit in question: Something tells me that I could write a function that...
  17. warrenchu000

    Why is magnetic field B along a straight wire circular not radial?

    Statement: The magnetic field around a straight wire carrying a current can be explained Relativistically by changing the inertial frame of reference to the frame of the moving electrons - i.e., a Lorentz contraction of the positive charges in the wire will give a denser concentration of the...
  18. besebenomo

    Moving bar enclosing a changing magnetic field generates a current

    The amplitude of ##\vec{B}## is given by: $$B(x) = B_{0} - B_{0} \frac{x}{2l}$$ for ##0 \leq 0 \leq 2l## This was my attempts at finding the flux of B: $$\Phi(B) = (B_{0} - B_{0} \frac{x}{2l})(2l-x(t))l = B_{0}2l^2-2B_{0}x(t)l+ B_{0}\frac{x(t)^2}{2}$$ and the current: $$ i = -\frac{d...
  19. besebenomo

    Magnetic flux of magnetic field changing as a function of time

    $$B(t) = B_{0} \frac{t^2}{T^2}$$ for ##0 \leq t \leq T## The issue here is more conceptual, because once I find the flux of B I know how to proceed to find the current. I got velocity (but it seems to me that it is the initial velocity), I could use it to find the time in function of space...
  20. P

    Induced EMF due to motion of a wire perpendicular to a magnetic field

    This question appeared in a university entrance exam.Basically, if magnetic flux passing through a surface of a loop changes over time ,only then e.m.f will be induced to that loop.But here only a straight line is used and there's no chance of forming any area.So by definition there's no chance...
  21. X

    I Magnetic field strength of a stack of magnets

    I know that for a single cylindrical neodymium magnet, the formula $$ \displaystyle{\displaylines{B(z)=\frac{μ_0M}{2}(\frac{z}{\sqrt{z^{2}+R^{2}}}-\frac{z-L}{\sqrt{(z-L)^{2}-R^{2}}})}} $$ shows the relationship between the magnetic field strength and the distance between the magnet. I was...
  22. B

    Velocity of a relativistic particle in a uniform magnetic field

    d(ɣmv)/dt = qvB (dɣ/dt)mv + ɣm(dv/dt) = qvB Substituting gamma in and using the chain rule, it ends up simplifying to the following: ɣ^3*m(dv/dt) = qvB Now, I am confused on how to solve for v.
  23. arjun_ar

    Calculate the magnetic field from the vector potential

    I am trying to derive radial and axial magnetic fields of a current carrying loop from its magnetic vector potential. So far, I have succeeded in deriving the radial field but axial field derivation gives me trouble. My derivation of radial field (eq 1) can be found here. Can anyone point out...
  24. LCSphysicist

    EMF induced in a wire loop rotating in a magnetic field

    To solve this problem, we need to evaluate the following integral: $$\epsilon = \int_{P}^{C} (\vec v \times \vec B) \vec dl$$ The main problem is, in fact, how do we arrive at it! I can't see why a Electric field arises at the configuration here. The magnetic field of the rotating sphere is...
  25. G

    Two metallic bars moving on rails enclosing a vertical B-field

    I know the correct answer is a), but I have no idea how to approach the exercise. If you could give me any hints/ideas I would appreciate it.
  26. S

    I Magnetar Mystery: How Do Neutrons Generate a Magnetic Field?

    If a magnetar is a neutron star, how do the neutrons composing the star generate a magnetic field? A neutron has zero charge, so it generates no magnetic field.
  27. Adgorn

    Relativistic particle in uniform magnetic field (solution check)

    My solution was as follows: $$\frac {d\overrightarrow p} {dt}=q \frac {\overrightarrow v} {c}\times \overrightarrow B_0$$ The movement is in the ##[yz]## plane so ##|\overrightarrow v\times \overrightarrow B_0|=vB_0##, therefore: $$\biggr |\frac {dp} {dt}\biggr |= \frac {qvB_0} {c}.$$ On the...
  28. P

    I Exploring Newton's Third Law in an Imaginary Magnetic Field

    Hi, here's a theoretical problem that I am trying to find a satisfactory answer for. Imagine a coil that is temporarily switched on an off and generates a magnetic field that permeates through space. Now imagine a charged particle passing through this field, at time that the coil is already...
  29. J

    The acceleration of protons using a changing magnetic field

    If we increase the magnetic field, the radius of the particle's circular path will decrease which increases the tangential acceleration. How do I find the tangential acceleration. Do I use derivatives?
  30. J

    A curved wire rotating in and out of a magnetic field

    If I'm correct then the maximum change in magnetic flux occurs when the semi circle crosses the point at which it's plane is parallel with the magnetic field and minimal when it crosses the point at which the magnetic flux is maximum ( perpendicular with the field). I'm having trouble writing a...
  31. A

    Calculating a large toroid's magnetic field

    ##B_0 = \frac{\mu_0(N)(I)}{2\pi r}## ##\frac{N}{2\pi r} = 200## ##B_{net} = B_0 + B_m = (1+X)\times B_0## Plugging in the numbers: ##B_0 = 4\pi\times 10^{-7}(200)(1.5) = 3.8\times 10^{-4}## ##B_{net} = (1+X)\times B_0 = (1+ 3\times 10^3)\times 3.8\times 10^{-4}## = 1.13 T But the answers says...
  32. J

    EMF generated in a blood cell by an oscillating magnetic field

    At first I tried plugging everything in with 60Hz in the numerator but that did not work. I was told to think about sinusoidal waves and derivates but I'm not sure how that works. Any ideas? Thanks a lot
  33. A

    I Does electron beam in empty space generate magnetic fields?

    Does electron beam in empty space generate magnetic fields around them just as with current in conductor. If yes, then is it experimentally proven that two parallel electron beam would attract each other.
  34. A

    Magnetic field generated by an infinitely long current-carrying wire

    Can someone explain how there can be a radial magnetic field? I thought the magnetic field was always tangent to the circle using the right hand rule where you wrap your fingers around the current and point your thumb in the direction of the current.
  35. J

    Find magnetic field at center of rotating sphere

    if a sphere rotates, it's like multiple currents going around in a circle. I can find the magnetic field of each of those currents at the center point of the circle and add them together. We can integrate with respect to y and R. y ranges from 0 to 5 cm away from the center of the loop and the...
  36. A

    Understanding Torque in a Magnetic Field with Loop

    I am confused about this, do the black arrows represent the direction of magnetic force? The torque ##\tau = -IABsin\theta##, where I = current A is area of loop and B is magnetic field strength and I am a little confused how ##\theta## here is 45 degrees when the angle between the normal for...
  37. Sunny Singh

    I Understanding Landau Levels for 3D Fermionic Gas in Magnetic Field

    I am a beginning graduate student and I've been assigned a paper which uses landau levels for 3d fermionic gas in uniform background magnetic field. I am having trouble finding a proper source which deals with solution of dirac equation in such a case. With the two papers that i have found which...
  38. EmmanKR

    Finding the Frequency Domain and Time Domain magnetic field

    I was wondering if anyone could walk me though a better explanation on how to get the given results for these two questions. The solutions posted by my professor aren't really clear to me so if anyone is able to better explain how to get the solution it would be much appreciated!
  39. L

    Flux of constant magnetic field through lateral surface of cylinder

    If the question had been asking about the flux through the whole surface of the cylinder I would have said that the flux is 0, but since it is asking only about the lateral surfaces I am wondering how one could calculate such a flux not knowing how the cylinder is oriented in space. One could...
  40. Gbl911

    I Average Magnetic Field Between 2 Conducting Rods

    I am building small, simple version of a railgun using 2 copper bars and a couple of neodymium magnets to increase the magnetic field. I have also been trying to mathematically describe the magnetic field created by the conducting rods themselves. I am coming across some trouble when trying to...
  41. Mr_Allod

    Total Josephson current through junction with magnetic field

    Hello there, I am given a diagram of a Josephson Junction like so: With a magnetic field ##B = \mu_oH## in the z-direction. I'm reasonably sure ##d_x,d_y,d_z## are normal lengths, not infinitesimal lengths although that is up for debate. Using the above equations I rearrange the expression...
  42. I

    Directing magnetic field lines by using diamagnetic material

    I want to improve the magnetic field strength at the surface of a magnet configuration by utilizing diamagnetic materials to guide the magnetic field lines. I have not the proper equipment to measure the effect myself but would this work? This is the initial configuration with four magnets side...
  43. T

    A A question about charged particle in a magnetic field

    Suppose a molecule from our surrounding air (at ambient temperature) is being selected and is ionized. By some mechanical means, some velocity (say 100 m/s) is added to it and it has been put into a magnetic field perpendicular to its direction of motion. We all know how the molecule will behave...
  44. Mr_Allod

    Position expectation value of 2D harmonic oscillator in magnetic field

    Hello there, for the above problem the wavefunctions can be shown to be: $$\psi_{n,l}=\left[ \frac {b}{2\pi l_b^2} \frac{n!}{2^l(n+l)!}\right]^{\frac12} \exp{(-il\theta - \frac {r^2\sqrt{b}}{4l_b^2})} \left( \frac {r\sqrt{b}}{l_b}\right)^lL_n^l(\frac {r^2b}{4l_b^2})$$ Here ##b = \sqrt{1 +...
  45. Isopod

    B Could anything heat back up the core of Mars?

    My understanding of why Mars lost its atmosphere was because it cooled down too much internally and that when this happened, the planet lost its magnetic field that helped protect it from solar winds (which then ended up stripping away the planets atmosphere). Is there anything that people could...
  46. SanaiBongchul

    Green's reciprocity theorem about current density and magnetic field

    I have to prove three equations above. For first two equations, I've been thought and made reasonable answer by using a definition of the electricfield. However, for third, I can't use a definition of a magnetic field due to the cross product Like J_2 X J_1 X (r_2 - r_1). I think three of 'em...
  47. Salmone

    I How to obtain Hamiltonian in a magnetic field from EM field?

    To calculate the Hamiltonian of a charged particle immersed in an electromagnetic field, one calculates the Lagrangian with Euler's equation obtaining ##L=\frac{1}{2}mv^2-e\phi+e\vec{v}\cdot\vec{A}## where ##\phi## is the scalar potential and ##\vec{A}## the vector potential, and then we go to...
  48. S

    Potential difference of a ring rolling in magnetic field

    I don't understand why there is potential difference between point A and O. Is there any change in magnetic flux experienced by the ring? I think the magnetic field passing through the ring's cross sectional area is constant Thanks
  49. E

    B Virtual photons as force carriers

    (My multipart question is from a very naive perspective, so sorry if it is rife with misunderstandings. Please answer conceptually, with as few & as simple equations as possible. I think that all of the answers to these questions should be understandable to a high schooler, though maybe the...
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