Magnetic field when relative velocity is zero

In summary: This speed is typically very slow.In summary, a current carrying conductor can produce a magnetic field, but if there is an object with the same speed as the current, the magnetic field will be different depending on the observer's frame of reference. The drift speed of electrons in the conductor is generally not associated with the speed of the current.
  • #1
donaldparida
146
10
A current carrying conductor produces a magnetic field but what if there is an object which has the same speed as current. Will there be magnetic field by the current carrying conductor for that object?
 
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  • #2
donaldparida said:
A current carrying conductor produces a magnetic field but what if there is an object which has the same speed as current.
A current is generally not associated with a speed.

donaldparida said:
Will there be magnetic field by the current carrying conductor for that object?
The magnetic field mixes with the electric field under Lorentz transformations. This means (among other things) that observers in relative motion will measure different magnetic fields.
 
  • #3
donaldparida said:
A current carrying conductor produces a magnetic field but what if there is an object which has the same speed as current. Will there be magnetic field by the current carrying conductor for that object?
When asking that question, you have to specify in what frame you are measuring the magnetic field. I assume you are asking what the magnetic field is in the frame of the object . Then no, there is no magnetic field in that frame (but the electric field in that frame is different from the electric field in other frames).
 
  • #4
Orodruin said:
A current is generally not associated with a speed.
I suppose he is referring to the drift speed of the electrons in the conductor.
 

1. What is a magnetic field?

A magnetic field is a physical phenomenon created by moving electric charges, such as electrons. It exerts a force on other moving charges and is responsible for the behavior of magnets.

2. What is relative velocity?

Relative velocity is the velocity of an object in relation to another object. It takes into account the motion of both objects and is used to describe how they are moving in relation to each other.

3. What happens to the magnetic field when relative velocity is zero?

When the relative velocity between two objects is zero, there is no change in the magnetic field. This means that the magnetic field remains constant and does not exert any force on the objects.

4. Is it possible for a magnetic field to exist when relative velocity is zero?

Yes, a magnetic field can still exist even when the relative velocity is zero. This is because a magnetic field is created by the motion of electric charges, not by the relative velocity between two objects.

5. How does the magnetic field change when relative velocity is zero?

When the relative velocity is zero, the magnetic field does not change. It remains constant and does not exert any force on objects. However, if the relative velocity changes, the magnetic field may also change in response.

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