Electric & magnetic dipole moment

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the electric and magnetic dipole moments of a system consisting of two equal but opposite charges rotating around a common center. Participants explore the definitions and implications of these moments in the context of classical electromagnetism.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the definitions of electric and magnetic dipole moments, questioning the implications of charge motion and configuration. There is an exploration of how the moments are affected by the charges' positions and velocities.

Discussion Status

Some participants express confidence in their calculations, while others question the assumptions regarding the magnetic dipole moment being zero. There is an ongoing examination of different scenarios, such as the behavior of electrons and the analogy to positronium, indicating a productive exploration of concepts.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of charge direction and the effects of charge spin, with some confusion about the implications of opposite charges moving in a circular path. The discussion reflects a mix of classical and quantum mechanical considerations.

Grufey
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Hello, I have doubts with this problem, I'm not sure, if my solutión is right, so, here we go

Let's two equal charges with the same charge but opposite signs, positive and negative, in a circle, such a distance between them is constant and equal to diametre of the circle. Both charges, turn around the center of the circle with angular speed w. Calculate, the electric dipole moment, and the magnetic dipole moment.

the electric dipole moment, is define as, \vec{p}=q\vec{d}, with \vec{d} the vector that go from the positive charge to negative charge.

The system turn around the center, so we have to applicate a rotational matrix to \vec{d}, and so, we have calculated the electric dipole moment

The magnetic dipole moment, must be zero, because the charges have opposite signs, and the problem is equivalent to two spirals with circulating intensites in opposite directions.

I think that my solution is too simple, for this reason I mistrust it

Thank's
 
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Electric dipole moment of a system:

<br /> \vec{d} = \sum_{a}{q_{a} \, \vec{r}_{a}}<br />

where q_{a} is the charge of the ath particle and \vec{r}_{a} is its position vector. The summation goes over all the particles of the system.

Magnetic dipole moment:

<br /> \vec{m} = \frac{1}{2} \, \sum_{a}{q_{a} \, (\vec{r}_{a} \times \vec{v}_{a})}<br />

where \vec{v}_{a} = d\vec{r}_{a}/dt is the velocity of the ath particle and \times stands for the vector product between the two vectors.
 
Thank's, for your answer.

I am glad to have it well. If we calcule the moment, with your definition, we recover, my result.

So, Thank you again
 
Grufey said:
Thank's, for your answer.

I am glad to have it well. If we calcule the moment, with your definition, we recover, my result.

So, Thank you again

actually, no. The electric dipole moment of two opposite charges is always directed from the negative towards the positive one.
 
I agree, sorry. I was wrong.

Thank's
 
You are right about the magnetic moment though. It is zero. The simplest way to look at it is, to ask yourself what the current carried by two opposite charges moving along a circle with the same frequency is. It is zero, and no current implies no magnetic moment.
 
Dickfore said:
You are right about the magnetic moment though. It is zero. The simplest way to look at it is, to ask yourself what the current carried by two opposite charges moving along a circle with the same frequency is. It is zero, and no current implies no magnetic moment.

I think that the problem is similar to two magnetics domains with opposite spin, the resultant moment is zero, or two electrons, spirals...
 
No. If two electrons were orbiting around a common center, then the magnetic moment would not be zero, but the electric dipole moment would have been. This is more like the positronium atom, where an electron and a positron orbit around a common center of mass. Also, we have to neglect the spin of the charges, since there is no classical analogue to spin.
 
Dickfore said:
No. If two electrons were orbiting around a common center, then the magnetic moment would not be zero, but the electric dipole moment would have been. This is more like the positronium atom, where an electron and a positron orbit around a common center of mass. Also, we have to neglect the spin of the charges, since there is no classical analogue to spin.

Then, two electrons were orbiting around a common center, have magnetic moment, iff, turn around in the same direction.?

I understood the positronium's example, thank's
 
  • #10
Grufey said:
Then, two electrons were orbiting around a common center, have magnetic moment, iff, turn around in the same direction.?

I understood the positronium's example, thank's

oh, did you mean two electron orbiting in opposite directions? Yes, that is also a viable option.
 

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