Can someone help me find an equation for magnetic force?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around finding an equation to describe the magnetic force between two magnets, specifically in the context of an MRI phenomenon. Participants explore various factors such as distance, angular frequency, angular acceleration, and torque, while also considering the types of magnets involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks an equation for the force between two magnets, emphasizing the need for it to relate to distance, angular frequency, angular acceleration, and torque.
  • Another participant questions the relevance of angular acceleration and torque, suggesting they may not matter in the context of the magnets' orientation.
  • Some participants mention the force equation for a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field, but express uncertainty about its applicability to the scenario of bar magnets.
  • There is a suggestion that the force between two permanent magnets depends on their shape, size, distance, and orientation, with a recommendation to consider the simplest case of two small magnetic dipoles.
  • A later reply introduces a complex time-dependent magnetic field equation related to MRI technology, discussing the alignment of protons in a magnetic field and the resulting signals detected in MRI machines.
  • Participants express the need for more context regarding the specific magnets and the phenomena being studied, particularly in relation to MRI and tissue characteristics.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the equation or the factors involved. Multiple competing views are presented regarding the relevance of angular frequency, the types of magnets, and the context of the discussion.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about the magnets' characteristics and the specific phenomena being investigated. The discussion reflects a range of interpretations and applications related to the magnetic force equation.

Gabrielle17
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The equation needs to describe the force between two magnets and should relate to distance, angular frequency, angular acceleration, and torque. I need to find this equation for a research project, but I just can't figure it out and I can't find it online. (I'm new to this website so if this is the wrong forum please let me know and I will post in the correct one.) Thanks!
 
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Gabrielle17 said:
The equation needs to describe the force between two magnets and should relate to distance, angular frequency, angular acceleration, and torque. I need to find this equation for a research project, but I just can't figure it out and I can't find it online. (I'm new to this website so if this is the wrong forum please let me know and I will post in the correct one.) Thanks!
Welcome to the PF. :smile:

What kind of magnets? Electromagnets? Permanent magnets?
 
Also, what is the orientation of the magnets and the angles of rotation? The angular acceleration and torque shouldn't matter.
 
When you have a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field:
Force = (magnetic flux density) * current * (length of conductor)
 
berkeman said:
Welcome to the PF. :smile:

What kind of magnets? Electromagnets? Permanent magnets?
It is relating to the spin and relaxation that occurs in human tissue because this equation should demonstrate a phenomenon of MRI, but I was told to treat the situation as if they are bar magnets
 
David Lewis said:
When you have a current-carrying wire in a magnetic field:
Force = (magnetic flux density) * current * (length of conductor)
I don't think there is any current in this situation, it is more like two bar magnets, thanks for the help though!
 
Khashishi said:
Also, what is the orientation of the magnets and the angles of rotation? The angular acceleration and torque shouldn't matter.
What happens is there are these bar magnets, essentially, that act on each other and cause the ones next to them to move, so the exact angle is changing. I'm not sure why they are necessary, but the person above me (with a PhD so she knows what she is talking about) told me the equation will relate to distance, torque, angular acceleration, and angular frequency.
 
Maybe there is some misunderstanding between you and this person above. The angular frequency looks very out of place in a formula for the force between two permanent magnets at rest. Unfortunately the force between two magnets depends on the actual shape and size of the magnets, besides the distance between them and their orientation. You can easily find the simplest case, two small magnetic dipoles and the formula for this case. For bar magnets you may find some semi-empiric formulas (based on some experimentally determined parameters). Do you even know the characteristics of your magnets?
 
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Gabrielle17 said:
It is relating to the spin and relaxation that occurs in human tissue because this equation should demonstrate a phenomenon of MRI, but I was told to treat the situation as if they are bar magnets
You need to give some context to this question and a reference to clear things up. So far, you could be referring to any of a number of things. Are you trying to understand how quantum theory relates to the way an MRI scanner works for tissues?
 
  • #10
The force is perpendicular to both the velocity v of the charge q and the magnetic field B. 2. The magnitude of the force is F = qvB sinθ where θ is the angle < 180 degrees between the velocity and the magnetic field.
 
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  • #11
@jamesuad How would you use this to calculate the force between two magnets?
 
  • #12
Maybe this will help get you started.
A time-dependent magnetic field which has time-independent z component and a circularly polarized field representing a magnetic field rotating along the (x,y) plane is:
##B(t)=B_0\hat k+B_1(coswt \hat i - sin wt \hat j)##
The Hamiltonian for this field is:
##H=-c \vec B(t) \cdot \vec S##
The time evolution solutions for the TISE for this Hamiltonian yield a magnetic field:
##B=B_1\hat i+B_0(1-\frac \omega \omega_0)\hat k##
This is the large magnetic field used in the MRI machine.
The two bar magnets which you are talking about is the above mentioned magnetic field and the magnetic dipole moment of individual protons in the human body.
When a person is put in a MRI machine, the protons align with the big magnetic field.
When u send a RF wave in the field (this is due to a specific resonance), the spin of protons starts spiraling down and end up rotating on the plane perpendicular to the ##B_0## magnetic field part. This creates another rotating magnetic dipole moment which sends EM waves which are picked up by detectors in the machine. The intensity of this beam is proportional to the density of protons (concentration of water in the tissues). This allows differentiation of tissues. This intensity signal is plotted on a grey scale and you get cross-sectional images. After this, the spin relaxes and you get two relaxation times ##T_2,T_1## which vary from tissue to tissue.
 
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