Are field lines from a magnetic dipole equal in magnitude?

In summary, the magnetic field strength is not equal in magnitude throughout a magnetic dipole. It is more like the density of field lines and depends on how closely the field is approximated as a pure dipole. If a magnet is used and a circle is drawn from the north to south pole with the same radius from the center, the strength of the field does not have spherical symmetry and cannot be determined solely based on the radius.
  • #1
Luke Cohen
30
1
http://www.physics.sjsu.edu/becker/physics51/images/28_03_Earth_magnetic_field.jpg
If this is your magnetic dipole and you start at the north end and follow a field line to the south end, is the magnetic field equal in magnitude the entire way through?
 
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  • #2
No. Magnetic field strength is more like the density of field lines.
 
  • #3
What if you had a magnet and drew a circle from the north to the south pole. This circle had the same radius from the center of the magnet.
 
  • #4
It depends on how closely the magnetic field is approximated as a pure dipole field.

In a pure dipole field, the field strength is equal in magnitude at points symmetric wrt the N and S poles.

Some magnetic sources are better approximated as pure dipoles than others.
 
  • #5
Luke Cohen said:
What if you had a magnet and drew a circle from the north to the south pole. This circle had the same radius from the center of the magnet.
The strength of the field does not have spherical symmetry for a magnet.
The radius from the center is not enough to determine the value.
 

FAQ: Are field lines from a magnetic dipole equal in magnitude?

1. Are magnetic field lines from a dipole symmetric?

No, magnetic field lines from a dipole are not symmetric. They are concentrated on one side, known as the "north pole", and spread out on the other side, known as the "south pole". This is due to the nature of a dipole, which has two opposite poles.

2. How does the strength of a magnetic dipole affect the magnitude of its field lines?

The strength of a magnetic dipole directly affects the magnitude of its field lines. The stronger the dipole, the more concentrated and intense the field lines will be. This is why stronger magnets have a greater magnetic pull than weaker magnets.

3. Do magnetic field lines from a dipole have a specific direction?

Yes, magnetic field lines from a dipole have a specific direction. They always point away from the north pole and towards the south pole. This direction is important in understanding how magnetic fields interact with each other and with other objects.

4. Can the shape of a magnetic dipole affect the magnitude of its field lines?

Yes, the shape of a magnetic dipole can affect the magnitude of its field lines. For example, a longer, thinner dipole will have weaker field lines compared to a shorter, thicker dipole with the same strength. This is because the shape can affect how concentrated the field lines are.

5. What happens to the magnitude of magnetic field lines as you move away from a dipole?

The magnitude of magnetic field lines decreases as you move away from a dipole. This is known as the inverse-square law, which states that the strength of a field is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from the source. As you move further away from the dipole, the field lines spread out and become weaker.

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