Calculating change in Magnetic Dipole Moment

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the change in magnetic dipole moment when a charge moves in a circular path at varying speeds. The original poster seeks to understand the transition from the magnetic dipole moment formula to the expression for its change.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between current and speed, with one suggesting a function for current based on speed. There is also a discussion about the assumptions regarding charge distribution and the interpretation of magnetic dipole moment in different contexts.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the relationship between current and speed, while others have raised questions about the definitions and implications of magnetic dipole moment in various scenarios. The conversation reflects a mix of understanding and inquiry without reaching a definitive conclusion.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of constraints regarding the interpretation of current in terms of single charges versus charge distributions, as well as the conceptual distinction between magnetic dipole moment and magnetic flux.

iScience
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In one moment in time you have a charge going about in a circle of radius r. in another moment in time the charge goes in the same circle but faster, where Δv is the difference in speed. i want to find the change in the magnetic dipole moment Δm.if magnetic dipole moment m=IA (assuming uniform I), how do you go from

$$m=IA ...to... Δm=\frac{1}{2}qΔvr ?$$Thanks in advance
 
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well, what's the current as a function of speed v?
 
I(v)=\lambdav
 
iScience said:
I(v)=\lambdav

The problem says "a charge" so I would assume a single charge q rather than a charge distribution λ, so say the charge goes around N times/s, which is 2πRN m in 1 s, which says velocity v = 2πRN, which says the current is how much?
 
oh... got it now! thanks!

but another question: i can't say this for a single atom since current exists only on the outside, but for the case of a solid, wouldn't "IA" be more of a flux than a moment? and even for the case of a single atom, i thought moments were supposed to be some quantity times a distance, not an area.
 
iScience said:
oh... got it now! thanks!

but another question: i can't say this for a single atom since current exists only on the outside, but for the case of a solid, wouldn't "IA" be more of a flux than a moment? and even for the case of a single atom, i thought moments were supposed to be some quantity times a distance, not an area.

Not sure I know what you mean by invoking atoms and solids, but the main point of the magnetic moment μ = IA is that, in a B field, there is a moment (torque) τ applied to the coil or whatever medium carrying the current such that τ = μ x B.

You can easily show the validity of this formula by considering the torques on a rectangle of wire, sides 2a and 2b, carrying current I in a field B parallel to any side. For other shapes, integration would be necessary.

Magnetic moments are especially handy in describing permanent magnets. A p.m. with mag. moment μ will see a torque as per the above. So μ can be measured by pointng the p.m. at right angles to the B field and recording the torque. The A vector points from the S to the N pole. I offhand don't know another way to quantify permanent magnets.


Take a look at http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/magnetic/magmom.html

and

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_moment
 

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