Can we define a circular loop with moving electrons as magnetostatic?

[Mayan Fung]

When I learned magnetostatics. My teacher and book said that it is the case of steady current. However, if I consider a circular loop, the electrons are in fact moving in uniform circular motion. That means they are accelerating. How come we can still define it to be a magnetostatic situation

 

[phyzguy]

Steady current means that the current distribution is not changing with time. The individual electrons may be in accelerated motion, but the total current is not changing with time. Imagine a smooth waterfall with a constant flow of water falling over it. A given volume of water accelerates as it falls, but it is replaced by a new volume of water falling into the space it just left, so that the overall flow of water is constant in time.

 

[Mayan Fung]

That's a great analogy! Thanks!