How Do Electric and Magnetic Fields Transform in Different Reference Frames?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the transformation of electric and magnetic fields in different reference frames, particularly how a pure electric field in one frame is perceived as a combination of electric and magnetic fields in a moving frame. The scope includes conceptual clarification and exploratory reasoning related to electromagnetism and special relativity.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that a pure electric field observed in a stationary reference frame appears as a combination of electric and magnetic fields to a moving observer.
  • One participant expresses confusion about the implications of this transformation and seeks clarification.
  • Another participant emphasizes the need for a clear understanding of electric fields, magnetic fields, and frames of reference to grasp the concept fully.
  • A participant highlights that a moving charge produces a magnetic field, which is relevant to understanding the differences between static and moving charges.
  • One contribution suggests that electric and magnetic fields are not separate entities but rather different manifestations of a single electromagnetic field, depending on the observer's motion.
  • A link is provided to an external resource that illustrates the relationship between electric and magnetic fields as understood through special relativity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion reflects a lack of consensus, with some participants expressing confusion and seeking clarification, while others provide explanations and insights into the relationship between electric and magnetic fields. Multiple viewpoints on the nature of these fields and their transformations remain present.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully resolved the underlying assumptions about the nature of electric and magnetic fields, nor have they clarified the mathematical relationships involved in their transformations across reference frames.

ahmadicabara
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A pure electric field in one reference frame is observed as a combination of both an electric field and a magnetic field in a moving reference frame. (from wikipedia)

Thank you
 
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What do you think it means?
 
It means that what looks to a 'stationary' observer as an electric field only looks to a moving observer as a combination of electric and magnetic fields. I guess I just restated exactly what it said lol What part of it don't you understand?
 
I just don't get it. :d
 
You need to be more specific than that, seriously dude. Do you understand what an electric field is? Do you understand what a frame of reference is? Do you understand what a magnetic field is?

If you observe an electric field in your frame of reference, somebody in a different frame of reference will observe both an electric field and a magnetic field.
 
Do you understand that a moving charge produces a magnetic field?
 
Doc Al said:
Do you understand that a moving charge produces a magnetic field?
Yes. The problem is that I wanted to relate this question to my initial question which was why a movin charge produces both B and E fields whole static charge produce only E field. Can someone help me?
 
Does it help if I tell you that Electric and Magnetic fields are not two separate things but just different aspects of one thing (Sometimes we call it the Electromagnetic Field)?

What we call a Magnetic field is how this 'thing' appears to us when we are moving fast. What we call an Electric field is how it looks when we are standing still. If we only move slowly, it looks like a mixture of the two.

The 'thing' got two names because nobody realized at first it was the same.
 
Here's an example illustrating that electric and magnetic fields are two aspects of one thing, as special relativity has taught us: http://galileo.phys.virginia.edu/classes/252/rel_el_mag.html"
 
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