Induced Electric Field: Near Magnetic Field?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of whether an electric field can be induced at a point near a time-varying uniform magnetic field, specifically outside the region where the magnetic field is present. Participants explore the implications of changing magnetic fields on the induction of electric fields, referencing concepts such as vector potentials and the Aharonov-Bohm effect.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that electric fields can be induced everywhere, even outside the region of a magnetic field, as long as the magnetic field is time-varying.
  • Others argue that a time-varying magnetic field results in a time-varying vector potential that can induce an electric field outside the magnetic field region.
  • A participant mentions the Aharonov-Bohm effect as a relevant phenomenon where electric fields can exist outside the magnetic field.
  • Some contributions emphasize that the induced electric field exists outside a solenoid where the magnetic field is zero, provided there is a changing magnetic field inside.
  • There are claims that without a changing magnetic field or charge distribution, one cannot induce an electric field, leading to a discussion on the laws of physics governing these phenomena.
  • Participants reference mathematical relationships, such as the curl of the electric field being related to the time derivative of the magnetic field.
  • One participant suggests that an infinitely long solenoid with a time-varying current can induce an electric field outside its region, despite the magnetic field being zero there.
  • Another participant questions how a time-varying electric field can induce a magnetic field, indicating a further area of inquiry.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

The discussion remains unresolved, with multiple competing views on the conditions under which electric fields can be induced near time-varying magnetic fields. Participants express differing interpretations of physical laws and the implications of mathematical formulations.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the importance of specific conditions, such as the need for a changing magnetic field or charge distributions, while others challenge these conditions, suggesting that electric fields can exist under broader circumstances. The discussion includes references to gauge freedom and the implications of curl and divergence in electric fields.

dev70
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Can electric field be induced at a point near a time varying uniform magnetic field? "Near" means not the in the place where magnetic field exist. But at a point outside the field's presence.
 
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You can induce electric fields everywhere. Why do you expect that it would not be possible somewhere?
 
dev70 said:
Can electric field be induced at a point near a time varying uniform magnetic field? "Near" means not the in the place where magnetic field exist. But at a point outside the field's presence.
You probably meant 'by a magnetic field, but not in the place where the magnetic field exists.

A time varying magnetic field will have time varying vector potential
\frac{\partial{\bf A}}{\partial t} that can exist beyond the field, and induce an E field. This is like the 'Aharonov-Bohm' effect.
 
Last edited:
Yes. Say, for example, there's a long solenoid with a time-varying current I(t) running through it. The resulting magnetic field is nonzero only inside the solenoid. However, (assuming ∂B/∂t isn't zero) the electric field induced will also be nonzero outside of the solenoid.
 
Meir Achuz said:
A time varying magnetic field will have time varying vector potential
\frac{\partial{\bf A}}{\partial t} that can exist beyond the field, and induce an E field.
Only in areas where there is a changing magnetic field.

elfmotat said:
However, (assuming ∂B/∂t isn't zero) the electric field induced will also be nonzero outside of the solenoid.
∂B/∂t ≠ 0 implies that there is a magnetic field (apart from some specific points in time maybe).
 
Take a circular area beyond the region of changing magnetic field,but it should include changing magnetic field area then
E.2∏R=-∏r2.∂B/∂t,E is induced in region beyond WHERE B changes.
 
mfb said:
Only in areas where there is a changing magnetic field.
B= curl A. Apply Stokes' theorem for a B field in a solenoid.
This gives an A outside the solenoid, where there is no B.
 
I don't see how your quote and your post are related. You can get a non-zero A everywhere if you like - even in a perfect vacuum, as you have gauge freedom. But you do not get an electric field without a changing magnetic field or some charge distribution.
 
mfb said:
∂B/∂t ≠ 0 implies that there is a magnetic field (apart from some specific points in time maybe).

Yes, but only inside the solenoid. The electric field it produces also "exists" (is nonzero) outside the solenoid where B=0.
 
  • #10
elfmotat said:
The electric field it produces also "exists" (is nonzero) outside the solenoid where B=0.
Sorry, but what you want just violates the laws of physics.

$$curl(B)=\frac{1}{c}\frac{\partial E}{\partial t} + \frac{4\pi}{c} j$$
You do not want currents and no magnetic field? => electric field is time-invariant. You cannot switch it on or off.

This means that a time-independent charge distribution (which might consist of moving charges) is the only relevant option for a source of an electric field.
 
  • #11
mfb said:
Sorry, but what you want just violates the laws of physics.

$$curl(B)=\frac{1}{c}\frac{\partial E}{\partial t} + \frac{4\pi}{c} j$$
You do not want currents and no magnetic field? => electric field is time-invariant. You cannot switch it on or off.

This means that a time-independent charge distribution (which might consist of moving charges) is the only relevant option for a source of an electric field.

No, it certainly doesn't. If there's a long solenoid of radius a and turn density n with a current I(t) running through it, it will induce a magnetic field B(t)=μ0nI(t) inside the solenoid. Outside of the solenoid B=0 everywhere.

Evaluating the integral ∫E∙ds=-∂/∂t ∫B∙dA ⇔ E=-μ0na2 I'(t) / 2r

Even though B=0 outside the solenoid, it still produces a nonzero E outside the solenoid.
 
  • #12
mfb said:
Sorry, but what you want just violates the laws of physics.
Transformers violate laws of physics? You learn something new every day!

Sorry, I shouldn't be mean about it. It is a bit counter-intuitive. But yeah, if you take an infinitely-long solenoid, the magnetic field is ONLY present inside the solenoid. Yet you can wrap another solenoid around it, and induce a current on it by time-varying the current on the inner-solenoid. The B-field outside remains zero, but E-field is non-zero.

This all has to do with curl of the electric field being governed by ∂B/∂t. Outside of the solenoid, both curl and divergence of E is zero, but it doesn't mean that the field itself is zero. Feel free to verify that circular E field with 1/R intensity satisfies conditions of both curl and divergence being zero. (In other words for E = E_0\frac{\hat{\phi}}{r}, \nabla \cdot E = 0 and \nabla \times E = 0 everywhere except r=0.)
 
  • #13
I have shown in post no.6 that even outside a solenoid if one take a circular area and if it encloses the region of changing magnetic field then electric field will be induced at far distances also.
 
  • #14
Ah ok, you are right. So we need a coil of infinite length, where B(t) changes linear in time. This gives a constant (in time), circular E(t) and no magnetic field outside.
 
  • #15
then..how will a time varying electric field induce magnetic field and where?
 

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