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. B

    Electron helix in a magnetic field

    I thought that a nearly parallel entry path would result in a helix of very small, but constant, radius. I would not expect the electrons to focus at a point, but continue along the infinite helix. What have I missed?
  2. Alfredo Tifi

    Synchrotron Radiation: Charge Loss of Relativistic Particles in Magnetic Fields

    Problem Statement: It is possible to describe synchrotron radiation as caused by a loss of electrical charge of relativistic particles that are moving in a magnetic field? Relevant Equations: E = mc2 An Italian expert of black hole M87 (Elisabetta Liuzzo) explains that the expected axial...
  3. D

    I Earth’s Magnetic field formula or downloadable vector field

    I want to render the Earth’s Magnetic field in a software and simulate solar wind electron interaction with it. How do I calculate the magnetic strength and vector orientation at each point around the Earth up to thousands of km? Is there a formula? Or do I need to download a vector field from...
  4. S

    Force on a copper loop entering into a magnetic Field B with speed v

    Hi, second problem in one evening, I'm sorry! But I'm also not quite sure if I did this one right. I had thought I need lenz's law but there is no current before entering the field so I just use the induced Voltage? My approach: ## V = \frac {B*A}{t} ## ## IR = \frac {B*A}{t} ## and ## A = v*t...
  5. Cyclone Charlie

    Particle in a magnetic field -- question

    I went with R=mv/qb, thus -> 6.64e-27*35.6e3/2*1.6e-19*1.8, and got 4.1e-4 m (metres), so diameter is 2R, 8.2e-4 m, as an answer, the reference site gives 3.95e+10 m as the answer, who's right here?
  6. A

    Guiding Magnetic Fields in Solenoid Coils: Design and Material Considerations

    Hi, at this moment I'm trying to figure out one thing. I have a solenoid with a core that has an empty middle, the flux normally loops back around the outside of the solenoid to the other side where it enters back into the core. I need to route this field between the two ends of the solenoid...
  7. D

    I E- & Ions Deflection by Earth's Magnetic Field

    Do solar wind electrons turn left and positively charged ions turn right if they are interacting weakly due to long distance with Earth's magnetic field and fail to complete a loop for the electrons that are on the left of Earth and ions on the right? I assume electrons on the right and ions on...
  8. Moara

    Eletromagnetism: Copper Plate on a Spring Oscillating in a Magnetic Field

    Tried to find the resultant force, but I can't see how the magnetic field affects. I used Faraday's law to find the the diferece of potentials in the plate Wich should be B.d.v, where v is the vertical velocity of plate, but there were not given the resistance or resistivity to relate with the...
  9. J

    Moving Electrons in a Uniform Magnetic Field

    a) We can solve for acceleration by looking at FNETy FNETy = FE (G is negligible) FNETy = m * a The mass (m) of an electron is 9.1093836 x 10-31 kg. The elementary charge (q) of an electron is -1.60217662 x 10-19 C a = ε * q / m a = (4.0 x 102 N/C * 1.6022 x 10-19 C) / 9.1094 x...
  10. G

    Where is the Error in My Derivation of the Magnetic Field Equation?

    As I said my goal is to derive the equation ##\tilde{B}^k(\vec{q})=-i\varepsilon^{ijk}q^i\tilde{A}^j_{cl}(\vec{q})## As far as I know, the magnetic field is defined using the potential as ##\vec{B}=\vec{\nabla}\times\vec{A}## Then in equation 6.6 they define ##A^\mu(x)=\int...
  11. Muhammad Usman

    How can a magnetic field generate a Potential Difference?

    Problem Statement: Potential difference is the difference in the quantity of charge in both potentials. How does the magnetic field creates this difference of charges ? Relevant Equations: None Hi, I was reading electricity and found that the difference in potential of both end is the...
  12. M

    Magnitude of the Magnetic Field near a Circuit Inclined at an Angle

    For the front wire, I got the magnitude of the magnetic field in terms of the magnitude of the magnetic force, the current, "l," and the "theta". I am unsure how to proceed because I thought that the magnetic force is independent of any other forces. I am also just lost in general. Any help...
  13. H

    I A bar magnet and magnetic moment in a magnetic field

    Why a magnet bar would become aligned with the external magnetic field while a magnetic moment would precess around the external magnetic field?
  14. Z

    Eigenstates of a free electron in a uniform magnetic field

    I started with the first of the relevant equations, replacing the p with the operator -iħ∇ and expanding the squared term to yield: H = (-ħ^2 / 2m)∇^2 + (iqħ/m)A·∇ + (q^2 / 2m)A^2 + qV But since A = (1/2)B x r (iqħ/m)A·∇ = (iqħ / 2m)(r x ∇)·B = -(q / 2m)L·B = -(qB_0 / 2m)L_z and A^2 =...
  15. Physics lover

    Motion of a particle in a uniform magnetic field

    All i could think is that the z component of velocity will remain unchnged as there is no force in that direction.And for the x and y component can we imagine the helical motion as a superposition of a circle and a straight line.So for x and y component can we solve for a particle moving in a...
  16. DaniV

    Finding the magnetic field inside a material shell under external field

    I know that we need to use some boundry condition both on the a radius surface and the b radius surface and somehowuse the superposition on them both, the boundry condition most be for the tangential and the radial part, the only things I got is that i don`t know how to produce a magnetisation M...
  17. JD_PM

    What is the significance of neglecting the encircled sides in Ampere's law?

    This is a very basic issue but really important as well. The rectangular loop has length ##l## and width ##h##. I have seen the argument of neglecting the encircled sides of the loop because ##h << 1## while using Ampere's law to calculate the magnetic field flowing over a plane. I find this...
  18. T

    Plasma ball radio-frequency energy

    I read Wikipedia's description of how a plasma ball works. Question: What kind of energy is the "radio-frequency energy from the transformer"? Is in the form of electric field energy, magnetic field energy, or both? Thank you! (from Wikipedia)... Although many variations exist, a plasma lamp is...
  19. P

    How to calculate the voltage induced in a coil by an AC magnetic field?

    So, as it says in the title, I am trying to calculate overall voltage induced in a coreless coil in the cases of it being stationary and moving in an alternating magnetic field. To go more into detail, I would like to create a mathematical model of a coil in an alternating magnetic field that...
  20. DaniV

    Magnetic Field around two magnetic boxes

    I tried to look once at the zy axis and saw a two infinite capacitors with fictive charge density of M on the upper plane, and -M in the lower with a distance of h from each other, the two capacitors saparated with d in the y axis, but when I look in xy axis there was 2 another capcitors the...
  21. A

    Conductive loop that is contracting in a magnetic field

    $$V = \int \left(\vec{v} \times \vec{B}\right) \bullet \vec{dl} - \int _S \frac{\vec{dB}}{dt} \bullet \vec{ds}$$ From the statement I know that: B⊥v, (B x v) // dl and B // ds. $$V = \int vBdl - \oint _S \frac{dB}{dt} ds$$ v is the speed with which all the segments dl are aproximating to the...
  22. K

    Magnetic field around a conductor with protons?

    Assuming that you can create a proton current. For example, the current of ionized hydrogen is analogous to a conductor. Question! Will a magnetic field be created around a conductor with a current of protons? By analogy with the magnetic field of electrons in a conductor.
  23. fight_club_alum

    Particle in a circular path due to magnetic field

    v = sqrt( (2 * charge of proton * 3000/e) / (mass of proton)) v = 1.893986024 x 10^`15 r = ( (mass of proton) * (velocity) ) / ((magnetic field) * (charge of proton)) r = 24715769.68 m Anyone please help
  24. fight_club_alum

    Path diameter difference of two singly-charged ions in a magnetic field

    M1(50,000)/q (0.4) - M2(50,000)/q (0.4) = 0.025 Is there a special charge for singly charged ions?
  25. fight_club_alum

    Particle that moves in an electric and magnetic field

    m = 0.005 q = -70 x 10^-6 c v = 30,000 m/s Since there is no movement vertically Fb = Mg So, q . V . B = mg So, (70 x `10^-6) . (30,000) . B = (0.005) . (9.8) So, B = 0.0233333 or ~ 23 MT
  26. K

    Find ∆V while sliding a card through a card reader with magnetic field

    emf = dΦ/dt = (B*A)*d/dt = B(dA/dt), dA/dt= L*d/dt(vt) = L*v, emf = B*L*v per coil Since there are 25 loops the total emf= 25(vBL) This is where I'm am stuck. Would I assume that B is 24 uT, the velocity as 3m/s , and the length as 1mm? If so I would get ∆V as 1.8*10^-6.
  27. K

    Strength of magnetic field at the end of a wire wrapped nail.

    V=I*R 6v=I*(0.6+0.9)ohms I=4amp B=100*(uo)(2N)(I)/L * 1/2 I think since the wire is double wrapped, we multiply the equation by 2, but since we are looking for the magnetic field at the end of the wire we also have to multiply the equation by 1/2 I=4A, uo= 4pi*10^-7 2N/L turns per unit...
  28. fight_club_alum

    Find the charge of this particle moving in a magnetic field

    F = ma F = (6x10^-6) * 8 F = 4.8 * 10^-5 F = QBVsin(theta) F/(BVsin(theta) = Q (4.8 x 10^-5) / (5 x 10^-3) (4000) (sin(37)) = 3.98 x 10^-6 ~ 4 uc <---- THE RIGHT ANSWER IS -4 uc
  29. H

    Work performed by a magnetic field

    Here is a little thought experiment related to magnetism and a perplexing question regarding its physics. Suppose we have a long cylinder of transparent plastic, and we press fit and then cement a circular magnet in one end of the cylinder with its north pole oriented into the cylinder. We also...
  30. Wayne Lai

    Acceleration of a metal piece due to dipole radiation magnetic field

    Recently I am learning about electrodynamic radiation and its various types, and it occur to me that since the form of the magnetic field created by the dipole radiation is some combination of cos(wt), 1/r, and cos(kr) (take the approximation of r >> c/w) Therefore, if there is a metal placed...
  31. A

    Force on a metal bar across two wires in a magnetic field

    I need help with the problem above
  32. themountain

    The magnitude and direction of the minimum magnetic field

    F=ILB F=(48)(.76)B F/36.48=B I am stuck at how to find F, is there a different formula I am missing?
  33. TheBigDig

    Force on a magnet in a magnetic field

    So I'm kinda stumped. I'm assuming that since ##\vec{m}||\vec{B}##, the x and y components of both are zero. But I'm unsure how to take this further.
  34. S

    Magnetic field of plane with thickness d with uniform surface current

    I'm confused what's meant by a uniform surface current density since this plane has a thickness, It would need a current density distributed through its cross sections, I thought.Edit: I tried solving with proper LaTeX and all my steps, but it looked awful. For outside, I got B=µ_0jd/2. for...
  35. Wesleyk89

    Extend Magnetic Field Density from magnetic object's surface?

    I am new to the site I apologize If I am posting incorrectly or doing something wrong. I need help figuring out how to increase magnetic field density (gauss/tesla's) extending from a magnetic object's surface, most magnets magnetic density is all in the center. I need this in order to induce a...
  36. NavStar

    Static free charge in a time varying infinite uniform magnetic field

    Hello, Let's imagine we have an infinite plane (or large enough compared to the region of interest and measurements) pierced in normal direction by magnetic field B which is uniformly distributed but time varying. For the sake of simplicity we'll presume the magnetic induction is linearly (and...
  37. A

    Trajectory of charged particles in a magnetic field?

    A charge is entering magnetic field perpendicularly! Griffiths says it motion will be circular! But it is accelerated so it must radiate energy and it's motion should be spiral inward?
  38. M

    Magnetic field "lines" confused with magnetic field "vectors"

    I might be a slow learner, but am still trying to understand the difference between field lines and vectors. I've got that magnetic field lines are symbolic and that the directional arrows applied (from north to south) are a convention. But see the attached image. The field lines form a closed...
  39. J

    Loop falling in a magnetic field

    (a) Let's say the loop has fallen ##y## from its initial position. Then the magnetic flux is ##B_{0}w(h-y)## and the induced voltage is ##\mathcal{E}=B_{0}wdy/dt##. Since this voltage is positive, the current flows clockwise. (b) ##I=\frac{\mathcal{E}}{R}=\frac{B_{0}wv}{R}## (c) The force on...
  40. W

    The direction of magnet field

    for a infinite length length of current, only consider a part of it, is the direction of magnet field of a ring on the mid vertical plane the same magnitude and along the tangential direction? and for a closed surface , if the flux is 0?
  41. Zack K

    Forces acting on a coil due to a varying magnetic field

    I don't understand why a force would be acting on this rectangular coil at all. The magnetic field of the wire would only induce a force on the coil, if the coil had a current flowing through it. At first I would think that the electric field from the varying magnetic field would induce such...
  42. K

    Square wire in a cylindrical magnetic field

    For if the axis of symmetry is oriented along the y-axis I have gotten as far as converting the main integral entirely to cartesian coordinates. $$\hat{\phi}=-sin(\phi)\hat{x}+cos(\phi)\hat{y} \therefore \hat{\phi} =-sin(tan^{-1}(x/y))\hat{x}+cos(tan^{-1}(x/y))\hat{y}$$...
  43. sombr1o

    Magnetic field from a thin current-carrying cylinder

    The question is to find the magnetic field immediately outside a thin hollow cylinder that carries a uniform steady current I on its surface. This is my solution but what I get contradicts amperes law.
  44. TheBigDig

    Magnetic field of vector potential

    So I was able to do out the curl in the i and j direction and got 3xz/r5 and 3yz/r5 as expected. However, when I do out the last curl, I do not get 3z2-3r2. I get the following \frac{\partial}{\partial x} \frac{x}{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^\frac{3}{2}} = \frac{-2x^2+y^2+z^2}{(x^2+y^2+z^2)^\frac{5}{2}}...
  45. J

    Calculating Charge on Capacitor with Decreasing Magnetic Field & Coil

    Where should I start?
  46. C

    What are some common misunderstandings about magnetism and relativity?

    Hello, there are a couple things about magnetism that I do not understand. 1. Why didn't we define the magnetic field to be in the directions of the force? This isn't really a technical question, I am just more curious about why it is this way. The way I was thinking of it, the math seems to...
  47. H

    B Magnetic field and moving charge special relativity

    Hi. In a current carrying conductor because of special relativity amount of protons and electrons differ so we get an electric field or as we call it magnetic field. So if magnetic field is just an electric field how is it that the charge has to move so that magnetic field would exert a force on...
  48. L

    Does the angle of the magnetic field affect sunlight?

    With talk of the Earth's magnetic field slowly moving, (enough to cause navigational issues I've heard) does it effect how the sun's ray hit us? For example, the Northern Lights are solar partials interacts with the magnetic field (I think). If the poles moves, would it affect the effectiveness...
  49. zehkari

    Find the position of a proton in an E and B field

    Hello all, I have a question with the helix path of proton in a magnetic field that I am a bit stuck on. Question: Equations: F = qv X B F = mv^2/r d=vt My Attempt: Think the graph drawn is good enough for questions (a). However, I am stuck on (b) and (c). Firstly I am not entirely sure...
  50. J

    Calculating the frequency of an electron orbiting in a magnetic field

    So my thought process is as follows, since the initial centripetal force and the second magnetic force are working together, we can set up an equation to calculating final frequency. However, I am struggling with how this can be done given so little numbers. mvi^2/r + qvB = mv^2/r Am I on the...
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