What is the Magnetic Flux Exiting a Cube?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the magnetic flux exiting a cube, with an initial calculation yielding 0.499 Wb for one face. It is clarified that the net magnetic flux for a closed surface is zero, implying that if one face has a positive flux, the other faces must collectively have a negative flux of -0.499 Wb. Participants note that magnetic fields are divergence-free, meaning there are no isolated magnetic poles within the volume, supporting the zero net flux principle. The conversation emphasizes the distinction between conservative fields and magnetic fields, highlighting that while electrostatic fields are conservative, magnetic fields do not fit this definition. The importance of the divergence theorem in understanding magnetic flux in closed surfaces is also discussed.
4Phreal
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Homework Statement



Here is the prompt: http://imgur.com/FTFz0fZ


Homework Equations



Magnetic flux = ∫B dot dA

Net Flux for closed surface = 0


The Attempt at a Solution



For part a:
magnetic flux = (7.74 ^i + 4 ^j + 3 ^k)T * (0.254 m)^2 ^i
= 7.74 T * (0.254m)^2 m
= 0.499 Wb

For part b:
I'm not really sure. I know that the net flux for a closed surface is 0, so does that mean if 0.499 Wb is exiting from one face that -0.499 Wb would be exiting from the other 5 to make it 0?
= -0.499 Wb??
 
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Assuming the numerical values are correctly computed, what you have done seems reasonable.
 
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Well the total flux would be the sum of the flux from all 6 sides.

Just out of curiosity is this a webassign problem?
 
BiGyElLoWhAt said:
Well the total flux would be the sum of the flux from all 6 sides.

And magnetic fields are conservative, which means that the total flux is zero. This is the property he is using...
 
I understand that. I'm just saying he could always check it if he was doubtful, which is what I got out of the OP.
 
It's not that magnetic fields are conservative. Electrostatic fields are conservative, but the net flux emanating from a volume is zero if and only if there is no charge inside that volume.

In fact, there is no meaning to calling a magnetic field conservative since moving a charge around a mag. field results in zero work no matter where the start and end of the path is. In a conservative field, the force is derivable from the gradient of a scalar, which is not the case for a mag. field.

(A few authors do consider the mag. field conservative since the circulation is zero but that is far-fetched.)

The property he is invoking is ∇*B = 0 i.e. there are no isolated poles in a mag. field that can be stuck inside a given volume. So by the divergence theorem the total mag. flux out of any closed surface = 0.
 
Last edited:
4Phreal said:

Homework Statement



Here is the prompt: http://imgur.com/FTFz0fZ


Homework Equations



Magnetic flux = ∫B dot dA

Net Flux for closed surface = 0


The Attempt at a Solution



For part a:
magnetic flux = (7.74 ^i + 4 ^j + 3 ^k)T * (0.254 m)^2 ^i
= 7.74 T * (0.254m)^2 m
= 0.499 Wb

For part b:
I'm not really sure. I know that the net flux for a closed surface is 0, so does that mean if 0.499 Wb is exiting from one face that -0.499 Wb would be exiting from the other 5 to make it 0?
= -0.499 Wb??

Right.
 
Indeed, brain freeze. What I meant to say was "divergence free".
 
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