Is the Lorentz force conservative?

  • Thread starter Kolahal Bhattacharya
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In summary, the Lorentz force (F=q(E+v cross B)) generalizes the Coulomb force in electrostatics and the magnetostatic force, but it is not conservative when the fields are time dependent. However, in electrostatics, the Coulomb force is conservative as it derives from a potential. The main factor for non-conservativity is the time-dependence of the fields. There is confusion in expressing the magnetic force as (-dV/dx) in Griffiths's Quantum Mechanics, as it does not follow the same pattern as other conservative forces.
  • #1
Kolahal Bhattacharya
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Lorentz force is F=q(E+v cross .............(1)
We seem to be interested only in B[=A(q/r^2)(v' cross ].What about E?Is it an electrostatic field?I suppose not.If not,then should be time dependent and del cross E=-(d/dt)B
Taking line integral of (1),W=integral(a to F.dr
=integral(a to E.dr + 0
Does this mean F(mag) is conservative?
if a and b are the same,Will W=0?
in that case will Lorentz force be conservative?
however, i saw in Griffiths's Quantum Mechanics that magnetic forces cannot be expressed like (-dV/dx) like other conservative forces.
what is the physics?
 
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  • #2
please don't mind the b's are missing.
 
  • #3
The Lorentz force

[tex] \vec{F}=q\vec{E}+q\vec{v}\times\vec{B} [/tex] (1)

generalizes the magnetostatics and the electrostatics forces, with the latter being the Coulomb force. If the fields depend on time, which means the electrostatic and magnetostatic regimes are not valid anymore, then (1) is not conservative. It doesn't derive from any potential. But in the electrostatics, it's well known that the Coulomb force is conservative, since it derives from the Coulomb potential.

So the main idea is "time-dependence of fields".

Daniel.
 
  • #4
Thank you,daniel.I got your point.
But still unclear is that q(v cross B) part.Anyway F(mag)=q(v cross B) is zero even if the field is time dependent.So,can it be conservative?Actually,I am not sure that curl of B(t)=0 in that case.
what about the QM book confusion?Why magnetic forces cannot be expressed as F=-dV/dx like other conservative forces.
 

What is the Lorentz Force?

The Lorentz Force is a fundamental concept in physics that describes the force exerted on a charged particle by an electric and magnetic field.

How is the Lorentz Force calculated?

The Lorentz Force is calculated using the formula F = q(E + v x B), where q is the charge of the particle, E is the electric field, v is the velocity of the particle, and B is the magnetic field.

What is the significance of the Lorentz Force?

The Lorentz Force is significant because it explains the behavior of charged particles in electric and magnetic fields, making it crucial in understanding many physical phenomena such as electricity, magnetism, and electromagnetic radiation.

What does it mean for the Lorentz Force to be conservative?

A conservative force is one in which the work done by the force is independent of the path taken. In the case of the Lorentz Force, this means that the work done on a charged particle by the electric and magnetic fields will be the same regardless of the path the particle takes.

How does the Lorentz Force relate to Einstein's theory of relativity?

The Lorentz Force is compatible with Einstein's theory of relativity, which states that the laws of physics are the same for all observers in uniform motion. The Lorentz Force is a manifestation of this principle, as it applies to all observers regardless of their relative motion.

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