Is Magnetism Both Energy and Force?

AI Thread Summary
Magnetism encompasses both energy and force, as it can be transformed into electricity and exerts force on currents. The relationship between force and energy is fundamental, with force being the gradient of the potential energy field. This indicates that the presence of force implies the existence of energy. The discussion highlights that magnetism should not be viewed as a false dichotomy; rather, it is a phenomenon that embodies both aspects. Understanding magnetism requires recognizing its dual nature in physics.
torxxx
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My question is magnetism energy or force?

On the one hand, it is energy because it can be transformed to say electricity, on the other hand is the force because, say, in the alternator, it transfers the mechanical to the electric energy .
 
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torxxx said:
My question is magnetism energy or force?

On the one hand, it is energy because it can be transformed to say electricity, on the other hand is the force because, say, in the alternator, it transfers the mechanical to the electric energy .

This is where you need to go back to basic mechanics to realize that the existence of force implies the presence of "energy". This is because "force" F is the gradient of potential energy field U. Mathematically, the relationship is

F = -∇U

So the answer to your question in the title is : YES.

Zz.
 
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torxxx said:
My question is magnetism energy or force?
I agree with @ZapperZ. The question is a false dichotomy.

Magnetism is magnetism. Magnetic fields have energy and also magnetic fields exert force on currents.
 
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