Magnetic field around a conductor with protons?

AI Thread Summary
A magnetic field is indeed created around a conductor carrying a current of protons, similar to that of electrons. The nature of the charge carriers does not affect the resulting magnetic field, as Maxwell's equations depend solely on current density (J). While protons and electrons move in opposite directions relative to their current, the magnetic fields generated will be the same in strength and direction when the current density is fixed. Differences in field direction arise only when comparing conductors carrying positive versus negative charges. Overall, the fundamental principles governing magnetic fields remain consistent regardless of the charge carrier type.
Ksheva
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Assuming that you can create a proton current.

For example, the current of ionized hydrogen is analogous to a conductor.

Question!
Will a magnetic field be created around a conductor with a current of protons?
By analogy with the magnetic field of electrons in a conductor.
 
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Yes.
 
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Ksheva said:
Will a magnetic field be created around a conductor with a current of protons?
Yes, definitely. In stars you get large magnetic fields due to currents of both protons and electrons. You can also get currents due to flows of both anions and cations in an electrolyte. That is in fact what makes them electrolytes. The charge and the charge to mass ratio of the charge carriers doesn't matter, a given current will produce the same magnetic field regardless of the nature of the charge carriers.
 
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Dale said:
Yes, definitely. In stars you get large magnetic fields due to currents of both protons and electrons. You can also get currents due to flows of both anions and cations in an electrolyte. That is in fact what makes them electrolytes. The charge and the charge to mass ratio of the charge carriers doesn't matter, a given current will produce the same magnetic field regardless of the nature of the charge carriers.

Thank you for your reply.

Tell the created fields will be different? Maybe they will be sent to the anti-cold side? Arrows north, south pole in different directions? For example, the electron current creates a field with a clockwise rotation, and a proton field in the opposite direction?
 
Ibix said:
Yes.

Thank you for your reply.
 
Ksheva said:
Tell the created fields will be different?
Maxwell's equations depend on J (current density), not on the nature of the charge carriers used to obtain J. So if you fix J then the nature of the charge carriers does not matter, the resulting fields will be the same.

Of course, a given J will require protons to move in the opposite direction as electrons would move. Specifically, protons move parallel to their J and electrons move antiparallel to their J.
 
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Ksheva said:
Summary: Assuming that you can create a proton current.

For example, the current of ionized hydrogen is analogous to a conductor.

Assuming that you can create a proton current.

We don't have to assume this. This is done regularly (Fermilab, LHC, proton therapy, etc...).

For example, the current of ionized hydrogen is analogous to a conductor.

Question!
Will a magnetic field be created around a conductor with a current of protons?
By analogy with the magnetic field of electrons in a conductor.

There is no difference in terms of current created by protons and electrons. There is also no difference between current created by a flux of alpha particles, O2- ions, etc... other than the magnetic field strength based on the charge flux per unit area.

Zz.
 
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Dale said:
Maxwell's equations depend on J (current density), not on the nature of the charge carriers used to obtain J. So if you fix J then the nature of the charge carriers does not matter, the resulting fields will be the same.
Are you talking about the magnetic field around the conductor? And say it will be the same? Maybe when moving along a proton conductor, the field will be directed to the other side? Maybe you will need to change your hand from right to left? This will be the difference fields?

Dale said:
Specifically, protons move parallel to their J and electrons move antiparallel to their J.
What do you mean when you talk in parallel and antiparallel?
 

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Ksheva said:
This will be the difference fields?
Again, there will be no difference in fields. No difference. None. Zip, zero, zilch, nada, none, null, etc.

Ksheva said:
What do you mean when you talk in parallel and antiparallel?
parallel:
———>
———>

Antiparallel
<———
———>
 
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Dale said:
Again, there will be no difference in fields. No difference.
@Ksheva - to be clear, a current flowing upwards will produce the same field whether the moving charges are protons or electrons or whatever. But "current flowing upwards" describes protons flowing upwards or electrons flowing downwards.

If you are thinking of a conductor carrying positive charges upwards compared to one carrying negative charges upwards then the fields will be opposite, as will the currents.
 
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  • #11
Dale said:
Again, there will be no difference in fields. No difference. None. Zip, zero, zilch, nada, none, null, etc.
Thanks for the reply and your patience :)
Dale said:
parallel:
———>
———>

Antiparallel
<———
———>
Thanks for the reply and your patience :)
 
  • #12
Ibix said:
@Ksheva - to be clear, a current flowing upwards will produce the same field whether the moving charges are protons or electrons or whatever. But "current flowing upwards" describes protons flowing upwards or electrons flowing downwards.

If you are thinking of a conductor carrying positive charges upwards compared to one carrying negative charges upwards then the fields will be opposite, as will the currents.
Wow!
This is what I wanted to hear (read :)
Thanks for the detailed answer.
 
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