How Does a Vacuum Affect Magnetic Fields?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the effects of a vacuum on magnetic fields, exploring how a vacuum influences the distance and intensity of these fields. Participants examine conflicting information from various sources regarding the existence and behavior of magnetic fields in a vacuum.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how a vacuum affects the distance and intensity of a magnetic field, noting conflicting information found in other sources.
  • Another participant requests references to clarify the conflicts mentioned by the original poster (OP).
  • A participant mentions that some sources claim magnetic fields would not be affected in strength but would have a reduced distance, suggesting the field becomes more compressed to the surface.
  • Some sources assert that magnetic fields cannot exist in a vacuum, which another participant dismisses as incorrect.
  • One participant states that magnetic fields in a vacuum serve as the reference medium and that the presence of air does not affect the magnetic field.
  • Another participant highlights that electromagnetic radiation, which includes oscillating electric and magnetic fields, propagates through a vacuum without issue.
  • Participants discuss the behavior of various gases, such as hydrogen and oxygen, in relation to magnetic fields.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effects of a vacuum on magnetic fields, with some asserting that a vacuum does not affect the strength or distance of the fields, while others present conflicting claims. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the nuances of these effects.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various sources with differing claims about magnetic fields in a vacuum, indicating a lack of consensus on the topic. Some assumptions about the behavior of magnetic fields in different media are not fully explored.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying electromagnetism, physics students, or individuals curious about the behavior of magnetic fields in different environments.

pete94857
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Magnetic fields in space
Hello,

How does a vacuum effect the distance a d intensity of a magnetic field ?

I've look elsewhere but found conflicting information.
 
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Can you list a couple of your references, and point out how they are in conflict? Thanks.
 
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I googled the question and various sites came up and I looked at them. I would say they did not seem to be the types of sites to accept knowledge.

Some say the field would not be affected in strength but the distance the field would travel from the source would be reduced meaning the field would be more compressed to the surface.

Other sources claimed no effect at all.

One source claimed it would not be able to exist in a vacuum.

From my own knowledge. I already know the field will exist in a vacuum, I've taken an interest in the LHC etc. I know the what I would call the medium surrounding the source does make a difference, thinking of magnetic reluctance.

But thinking of reluctance I'm unsure about a vacuum because logically there's zero reluctance. So logically to what I understand the field would extend further. But I'm unsure of the intensity through the distance. I.e 1 radius 4 times less etc
 
pete94857 said:
Other sources claimed no effect at all.
That is correct.

pete94857 said:
One source claimed it would not be able to exist in a vacuum.
That is nonsense, so I'd suggest you stay away from that website in the future. :smile:
 
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Magnetic fields in vacuum are the reference medium.
The presence of air does not make a difference to the magnetic field.
What other materials are you considering?
 
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BTW, remember that light and other Electromagenetic (EM) radiation consists of oscillating electric field and magnetic field waves. They propagate through a vacuum just fine. :wink:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light

1719259717977.png
 
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Baluncore said:
Magnetic fields in vacuum are the reference medium.
The presence of air does not make a difference to the magnetic field.
What other materials are you considering?
Various gases. Hydrogen, oxygen I know both react differently with the field.

Thank you, I get it now.
 
OP's question has been answered, so this thread will be tied off now. Thanks
 
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