Magnetic field in frame of moving charge

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of the magnetic field produced by a moving charge, particularly how it varies at a fixed point as the charge passes by. Participants explore the relationship between moving charges and magnetic fields, the implications of different observer frames, and the nature of electromagnetic fields as described by Maxwell's equations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question whether the magnetic field is solely dependent on current rather than a single moving charge.
  • It is noted that a single moving charge does produce a current, and the magnetic field of a current in a conductor is the sum of the fields from all moving charges.
  • Participants reference the Lienard-Wiechert potentials to describe the fields of a classical point charge, suggesting that these fields can be used for arbitrary motion.
  • One participant asserts that if an observer is at rest with respect to the charge, they would not experience a magnetic field, highlighting the non-invariance of electric and magnetic fields under changes in inertial frames.
  • There is a discussion about the scenario where a moving observer coincides with a stationary observer, with differing perspectives on what each observer would measure in terms of electric and magnetic fields.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of the magnetic field produced by a moving charge and how it is perceived by observers in different frames. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of observer motion on the measurement of magnetic and electric fields.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding assumptions about observer motion and the definitions of electric and magnetic fields in different frames. The relationship between the fields and the conditions under which they are measured is not fully resolved.

Dexter Neutron
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A charge moving relative to some observer produces magnetic field in space around it. Now I want to ask that how does the magnetic field of the charge at any fixed point varies as the charge passes by. Or is the B field only dependent on current and not a single moving charge?

If I introduce one more observer to be moving with the charge then if a time comes at which both the observer coincide, then at that instant will magnetic field be experienced by only stationary observer or both?
 
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Dexter Neutron said:
Or is the B field only dependent on current and not a single moving charge?
A single moving charge does produce a current. The B field of the current in a conductor is the sum of the B fields of all of the charges moving in the conductor.

Dexter Neutron said:
Now I want to ask that how does the magnetic field of the charge at any fixed point varies as the charge passes by.
The electromagnetic field satisfies Maxwell's equations. The solution for a single moving charge can be found, for example, here (slide 8): https://www.physics.rutgers.edu/ugrad/227/L15 Magnetic Field of Currents Biot-Savart.pdf

Dexter Neutron said:
If I introduce one more observer to be moving with the charge then if a time comes at which both the observer coincide, then at that instant will magnetic field be experienced by only stationary observer or both?

This question does not make any sense. If an observer is not moving with respect to the charge, then they will either coincide at all times or at no time.

For an observer at rest with respect to the charge, there would be no magnetic field. The electric and magnetic field are not invariant under boosts (changes in inertial frames with a relative velocity), i.e., if you change to a moving frame, the electric and magnetic fields will change.
 
Dexter Neutron said:
Now I want to ask that how does the magnetic field of the charge at any fixed point varies as the charge passes by. Or is the B field only dependent on current and not a single moving charge?
The fields for a classical point charge are given by the Lienard Wiechert potentials: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liénard–Wiechert_potential

In the appropriate limits these fields reduce to Coulomb's law and the Biot Savart law but you can use them for any arbitrary motion.
 
I think the question is about when the moving observer coincides with the stationary observer. The stationary observer would measure a magnetic field with her compass (and there would be some electric field as well) but the observer moving with the charge would measure only an electric field.
 

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