Magnetism and the violation of the law of angular momentum

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the implications of varying magnetic fields on angular momentum conservation and the role of induced electric fields. Participants explore the relationship between magnetic forces, angular momentum, and kinetic energy in the context of charged particles moving in magnetic fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how angular momentum can be conserved if the radius of circular motion varies with a changing magnetic field while velocity remains constant.
  • Another participant suggests that a changing magnetic field generates an electric field, which should be considered according to Ampere's law.
  • It is noted that the change in momentum may not solely result from the magnetic force but also from the electric force induced by the varying magnetic field.
  • Several participants discuss the necessity of considering the entire system, including the coil generating the magnetic field and the electrons within it, to understand angular momentum changes.
  • There is mention of the electromagnetic field's ability to store energy and momentum, and how excluding real photons from the system can lead to misconceptions about conservation laws.
  • Questions arise about whether the particle's velocity remains constant in a time-varying magnetic field and what factors might influence any changes in velocity.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether angular momentum is conserved in this scenario, with some suggesting that it is not due to the non-isolated nature of the system, while others explore the implications of induced electric fields and the electromagnetic field itself. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact nature of momentum conservation in this context.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight the complexity of the system, noting that assumptions about isolated systems may not hold true when considering induced electric fields and the interactions with coils or conductors. The discussion reflects uncertainty about the interplay between magnetic and electric forces and their effects on angular momentum and kinetic energy.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying electromagnetism, particularly in contexts involving charged particles in varying magnetic fields, as well as those exploring the conservation laws in non-isolated systems.

CHUKKY
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Ok they say a magnetic force can never do work on an object.ok but can anyone explain this to me? a particle is set in a velocity in the x direction, magnetic field in the y direction so dat the resultant magnetic force be in the z direction at this instant. Hence the particle moves in a circle of the field was uniform. Ok fine. What if we have a varying magnetic field what happens? the radius of instantaneous circular motion should be increasing right by the formula.This is from the formula:

F= q*v*B = mv^2/r so dat solving you get r = mv/(q)(B)

Hence as B varies r varies as well.kk if that is the case then if v is constant even while B varies, then how do we conserve angular momentum. Yh the case is made that a magnetic field always acts perpendicular to the velocity. This means angular momentum is not conserved since r is varying and m and v are constant. Angular momentum = mvr. Ok if we decide to conserve angular momentum then v has to vary. if v varies then how did v vary since magnetic forces act perpendicular to v. Now the funny thing is that i derived a formula for magnetic force dependent solely on r. I ensured that momentum was conserved in this derivation. I also made the assumption that the magnetic force is conservative so it is path independent. The funny thing is that when integrated this new formed formula with r i got exactly the change in kinetic energy expected if angular momentum was conserved. So people my question is this what is happening:
is angular momentum conserved or not?
if not how does a particle change kinetic energy since magnetic field can do no work becos it always acts perpendicularly to the velocity. People this baffles me a lot. I would appreciate your answers
 
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The changing magnetic field is accompanied by an electric field so Ampere's law should be used.
 
This means angular momentum is not conserved since r is varying and m and v are constant.
But you set the situation up so that B also varies.

Imagine a particle curves from a region (1) with field strength B to a region (2) with strength 2B in the same direction. Then, from your equation, r_1=2r_2.

p_1=qBr_1 = 2qBr_2 (=mv)
p_2=q(2B)r_2 = 2qBr_2 (=mv)
... identical.

@Phrak: aren't you thinking of a time-varying B field?
That would also make the path vary, as well as change the kinetic energy via the accompanying E field.
 
Last edited:
Simon Bridge said:
@Phrak: aren't you thinking of a time-varying B field?
That would also make the path vary, as well as change the kinetic energy via the accompanying E field.

That seems to be what he's asking about, as r changes in his second scenario. Make that Faraday's law.
 
So that means that the change in momentum is not as a result of the magnetic force but as a result of the electric force that results from time varying magnetic field? right?
 
Chukky. First, thanks for the question: interesting and nicely explained.

Why would you expect the particle's angular momentum to be conserved? It's not an isolated system. The complete system would be the particle and (say) a coil with a changing current through it, to generate the changing B. We must take account of the angular momentum changes of the electrons in the coil as the current through it changed.

I agree that the interaction between particle and coil is by both B and (induced) E fields.
 
Last edited:
Philip Wood said:
The complete system would be the particle and (say) a coil with a changing current through it, to generate the changing B.
And the electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field itself can store energy, linear momentum, and angular momentum. Quantum mechanically, real photons (as opposed to virtual photons) are involved in a time-varying electromagnetic field, and those real photons are a part of the system. Exclude them from the system and the conserved quantities can appear to be not conserved.
 
Philip Wood said:
Chukky. First, thanks for the question: interesting and nicely explained.

Why would you expect the particle's angular momentum to be conserved? It's not an isolated system. The complete system would be the particle and (say) a coil with a changing current through it, to generate the changing B. We must take account of the angular momentum changes of the electrons in the coil as the current through it changed.

I agree that the interaction between particle and coil is by both B and (induced) E fields.

Now you guys have added a different dimension to the answer. So what would happen then. Is the velocity of the particle going to remain the same through out the time in this time varying magnetic field. If it remains the same then does it mean that the change in angular momentum is conserved by the counter change in angular momentum of the electrons in the coil (or conductor). If your answer is no the velocity changes then what changes the velocity since magnetic forces always act perpendicular to the velocity vector, or is it the electric field that causes this change as Phrak mentioned?
so wat is happening?
 
D H said:
And the electromagnetic field. The electromagnetic field itself can store energy, linear momentum, and angular momentum. Quantum mechanically, real photons (as opposed to virtual photons) are involved in a time-varying electromagnetic field, and those real photons are a part of the system. Exclude them from the system and the conserved quantities can appear to be not conserved.

same question to you:
Now you guys have added a different dimension to the answer. So what would happen then. Is the velocity of the particle going to remain the same through out the time in this time varying magnetic field. If it remains the same then does it mean that the change in angular momentum is conserved by the counter change in angular momentum of the electrons in the coil (or conductor) and the photons that exist in such a field as you mentioned. If your answer is no the velocity changes then what changes the velocity since magnetic forces always act perpendicular to the velocity vector, or is it the electric field induced that causes this change as Phrak mentioned? or do we solve this situation by conserving both angular momentum and energy of the system since any collision in such a conservative field is always perfectly elastic.
so wat is happening?
 

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