Is the Configuration of Magnetic Fields Only a Convention?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of magnetic fields and whether their configuration is merely a convention. Participants explore the historical development of electric and magnetic fields, referencing Faraday and Ampere, and consider the implications of defining magnetic fields based on different perspectives, such as the force on test currents versus source currents.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the concept of magnetic fields could have been developed differently, such as by considering the force on one electric current in the presence of another, similar to Ampere's findings.
  • Others argue that changing the convention of magnetic fields would require altering Maxwell's equations, indicating a dependence on the established framework.
  • It is noted that the direction of magnetic fields is a convention, which can be altered by changing the right-hand rule or the order of cross products.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the implications of defining field lines based on the force between currents, suggesting that this could lead to fields that do not reflect the actual behavior of currents.
  • There is discussion about the magnetic vector potential and its relationship to magnetic fields, with some proposing that auxiliary fields might be introduced for computational ease.
  • Participants highlight that the direction of the magnetic field could be well-defined, but there is contention regarding whether this definition aligns with the forces experienced by test currents.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the configuration of magnetic fields is merely a convention. Multiple competing views are presented regarding the implications of defining magnetic fields based on different criteria.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions involve assumptions about the nature of magnetic fields and their dependence on historical conventions, which may not be universally accepted. The complexity of relating field lines to the forces on currents introduces additional uncertainty.

  • #61
Ibix said:
In addition to @weirdoguy's point, then, how do you define this field when two or three particles pass through the same point with different velocities? Your field has different strengths and directions from the same source at the same point.

Thank you.
Good point, I didn't think of that.
 

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