Magnetic Field Changes: Instant or Gradual?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of changes in magnetic and gravitational fields, specifically whether these changes propagate instantaneously or at the speed of light. Participants explore the implications of electromagnetic and gravitational interactions, referencing mediating bosons and classical physics concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a change in a magnet results in an instantaneous change in the magnetic field everywhere or if it occurs first at nearby points.
  • Another participant asserts that there is no instantaneity in these changes, stating that photons mediate electromagnetic fields.
  • A separate inquiry is made regarding gravity, asking if moving a mass affects another mass instantly.
  • Discussion includes the concept of gravitons as mediating bosons, which are theorized to be limited to the speed of light, similar to photons.
  • One participant seeks clarification on how bosons determine the distance to another mass and questions the effect of additional masses on gravitational interactions.
  • Another participant states that changes in gravitational or electromagnetic fields propagate at the speed of light and suggests avoiding the complexities of bosons and virtual particles, advocating for classical physics explanations.
  • There is a reiteration of the initial question about magnetic field changes, with a suggestion that such changes would create an electromagnetic wave that propagates at light speed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the propagation of changes in magnetic and gravitational fields, with some supporting the idea of light-speed propagation while others question the implications of mediating bosons. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference concepts from both classical and quantum physics, indicating a potential complexity in understanding the interactions at play. The discussion includes assumptions about the nature of bosons and their roles in mediating forces, which are not fully explored.

limitkiller
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Does a change in a magnet cause a change in the magnetic field everywhere instantly?or does the change appear in the nearer points first?
 
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There is no instantaneity. Photons mediate the EMF.
 
thank you
 
what about gravity?does moving a mass towards the other effect it instantly?
 
A graviton has not yet been captured, but as a mediating boson (no mass no charge spin 2) it will be limited to lightspeed just like the photon.
 
could you elaborate please?I mean how do these bosons know how far is the other mass?or is it regulated by the number of bosons which reach the mass?(doesn that mean putting a third mass in between would absorb some of the bosons and affect the gravity).
 
A change in either the gravitational or electromagnetic fields propagates along at c (light speed). As for bosons mediating the forces, I highly recommend not getting into the concept of bosons and virtual particles at this point. Classical physics works just fine.
 
limitkiller said:
Does a change in a magnet cause a change in the magnetic field everywhere instantly?or does the change appear in the nearer points first?
I think the change in magnetic field would be accompanied by an electric field, so an EM wave is created. A magnetic field is carried along by an EM wave at velocity c..
 

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