Are Electricity and Magnetism Related or Inverses of Each Other?

AI Thread Summary
Electricity and magnetism are closely related phenomena, as demonstrated by Maxwell's equations, which show that a moving charge generates a magnetic field and a moving magnet induces an electric current. They are not inverses of each other but rather different manifestations of the same underlying principles, depending on the observer's reference frame. Both electric and magnetic effects can yield identical results when analyzed mathematically, highlighting their interdependence. The discussion emphasizes the semantic differences in perception rather than a fundamental distinction in their nature. Understanding this relationship is crucial for grasping the principles of electromagnetism.
thomasxc
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does the fact that a moving charge creates a magnetic field, and a moving magnet creates an electric current, imply that the two are related or inverses of each other?




-Tom
 
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thomasxc said:
does the fact that a moving charge creates a magnetic field, and a moving magnet creates an electric current, imply that the two are related or inverses of each other?




-Tom

Isn't that what has already been shown in Maxwell equations?

Zz.
 
thomasxc said:
does the fact that a moving charge creates a magnetic field, and a moving magnet creates an electric current, imply that the two are related or inverses of each other?




-Tom


Well they're not "inverses" of each other but they are the same thing. What you view as an electrostatic phenomena a person moving along relative to you would view as a magnetic phenomena. It's really semantics to say which is which. However, if both of you calculated the result of this phenomena (say a charge stationary relative to you attracting a moving charge towards it) using maxwell's equations you'd both get identical answers. He'd just think it was because of magnetism and you'd think it was because of electrostatics. You'd BOTH be right from your respective reference frames.
 
The relativistic Lorentz transformations from the unprimed reference frame to the primed reference frame for electric and magnetic fields are shown in the last four lines in:
http://pdg.lbl.gov/2002/elecrelarpp.pdf
Note the symmetry (except for the minus sign) between the E and B field transformations in the column labelled Gaussian units.
 
ZapperZ said:
Isn't that what has already been shown in Maxwell equations?

Zz.



i wouldn't know, Zz. i am not familiar with them.
 
huh. that's cool.
 
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