What is the difference between electric field and magnetic field

AI Thread Summary
Electric and magnetic fields are interconnected aspects of the electromagnetic field, with electric fields generated by stationary charges and magnetic fields arising from moving charges. In classical physics, electric fields exert forces on stationary charged particles, while magnetic fields do not affect them unless they are in motion. The interaction between these fields can induce one another when there are time-varying conditions. The Lorentz Force equation is crucial for understanding how these fields influence charged particles. Overall, the distinction between electric and magnetic fields is fundamentally tied to their effects on charged particles and their relative motion.
Lizwi
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What is the difference between electric field and magnetic field
 
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From a special relativistic perspective, nothing--they're just different aspects of the same combined EM field, components that arise from different kinds of currents.

I suspect this isn't the answer that would help you most, though. Perhaps you have a more specific question in mind?
 


Lizwi said:
What is the difference between electric field and magnetic field

\nabla \circ \vec{E} = \frac{\rho}{\epsilon_{0}}
\nabla \times \vec{E} = -\frac{{\partial}{\vec{B}}}{{\partial}{t}}
vs.
\nabla \circ \vec{B} = 0
\nabla \times \vec{B} = \mu_{0} \vec{J} + \mu_{0} \epsilon_{0} \frac{{\partial}{E}}{{\partial}{t}}

heh, sorry, I couldn't resist..
 


classically electric fields are caused by charge and magnetic fields are caused by moving charges in the static case. and if I have a time-varying E or B field they can induce the other field. And my relative motion with some stationary charge I could see a B field in my frame or an E field depending on the configuration.
 


Originally Posted by Lizwi View Post

What is the difference between electric field and magnetic field
......
vs.

heh, sorry, I couldn't resist..

This is not the complete story, please include Lorentz Force equation. To make difference
between E and B, it is very important to remember how do they interact with some particle, that is the only way to know about them( E or B).
 


as sanjib ghosh is getting at. The E field will affect a charged particle at rest by a B field will not cause a charged particle at rest to move.
 
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