How to Calculate the Magnetic and Electric Field

In summary, the conversation discusses calculating the Magnetic and Electric Field around the Sun or a Planet using the equations \vec{B} = \nabla * \vec{A} and \vec{E} = -\nabla*\phi-\frac{\partial \vec{A}}{\partial t}. The value of the vector potential, \vec{A}, and the electric potential, \phi, must be known in order to solve for them. The equations are only valid for the Sun every 11 years due to polarity reversals, and the Earth does not have a true North North Pole. The conversation also mentions a paper titled "Mathematical Modeling of Earth's Magnetic Field" that discusses this topic further. Additionally
  • #1
Philosophaie
462
0
Could someone show me a real world example of how to calculate the Magnetic and Electric Field around the Sun or a Planet.
[tex]\vec{B} = \nabla * \vec{A} = (B_x, B_y,B_z)[/tex]
[tex]\vec{E} = -\nabla*\phi-\frac{\partial \vec{A}}{\partial t} = (E_x,E_y,E_z)[/tex]
 
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  • #2
For these equations you must first know the value of the vector potential, [tex] \vec{A}[/tex], and the electric potential, [tex]\phi[/tex].
 
  • #3
How do you solve for ##\vec{A}## and ##\phi## for a planet or star acting like a dipole or current loop? For the sun the equations only are valid every 11 years or so because the polarity reverses. Also the Earth does not have a true North North Pole it is somewhere in Siberia.
 
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  • #5
Does anyone know where there is a list by date of Gaussian coefficients from the IAGA and IGRF(more recent then 2000).
They look like this ##g^m_n## and ##h^m_n##
 
  • #6
See footnote 2; but NASA is shutdown this week.
 

1. How do you calculate the magnetic field?

The magnetic field can be calculated using the formula B = μ0(I/2πr), where B is the magnetic field strength, μ0 is the permeability of free space, I is the current, and r is the distance from the current. This formula applies to a straight current-carrying wire. For other configurations, such as a loop or a solenoid, different formulas may be used.

2. What is the formula for calculating the electric field?

The electric field can be calculated using the formula E = k(Q/r^2), where E is the electric field strength, k is the Coulomb's constant, Q is the charge, and r is the distance from the charge. This formula applies to a point charge. For other configurations, such as a line of charge or a charged disk, different formulas may be used.

3. How do you calculate the magnetic field at a point due to multiple current-carrying wires?

To calculate the magnetic field at a point due to multiple current-carrying wires, you can use the principle of superposition. This means that you can calculate the magnetic field at the point due to each wire individually, and then add them together to get the total magnetic field. The formula for each individual magnetic field is the same as for a single wire (B = μ0(I/2πr)), but you must take into account the direction and magnitude of each wire's current.

4. Can you calculate the electric field inside a conductor?

No, the electric field inside a conductor is always zero. This is because in a conductor, the free charges (such as electrons) are able to move freely, and any electric field would cause them to move until they reach equilibrium. Therefore, the electric field inside a conductor must be zero in order for there to be no net motion of charges.

5. How do you calculate the magnetic field inside a solenoid?

The magnetic field inside a solenoid can be calculated using the formula B = μ0nI, where B is the magnetic field strength, μ0 is the permeability of free space, n is the number of turns per unit length, and I is the current. This formula only applies to an ideal solenoid with an infinite length and tightly wound coils. For real solenoids, the magnetic field can be calculated using the principle of superposition, taking into account the magnetic field contributions from each individual turn of the coil.

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