Magnetization in Classical EM: Bound Electric vs. Magnetic Charges

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the characterization of magnetization in classical electromagnetism (EM) through either bound electric currents or bound magnetic charges. Participants explore the implications of these two approaches, their equivalence, and the conditions under which they apply, particularly in relation to Maxwell's equations and boundary conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether magnetization can be equivalently described using bound electric currents or bound magnetic charges, referencing a previous discussion that suggested limitations within matter.
  • Another participant emphasizes the assumption that magnetization arises solely from bound currents, suggesting that this implies a local relationship between the magnetic field (B) and magnetization (M).
  • It is noted that the two systems of equations (for bound currents and bound charges) can describe the same physical situation, but a linking equation is necessary to connect the longitudinal and transversal components of magnetization.
  • A participant mentions that using fictitious magnetic charges is a simpler approach, implying it is more convenient for calculations.
  • Questions are raised about the magnetic field produced by bound magnetic charges and bound electric currents in a uniformly magnetized bar magnet, with speculation about the field being small except at the ends of the magnet.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the equivalence of the two approaches to magnetization, with no consensus reached on the validity of using bound charges versus bound currents in all scenarios. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of these approaches in specific contexts.

Contextual Notes

Participants have not fully explored the assumptions underlying the equivalence of bound currents and bound charges, nor have they resolved the mathematical implications of their claims. The discussion also lacks clarity on the conditions under which each approach is valid.

dgOnPhys
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I have been trying to remember if in classical EM it is equivalent to describe magnetization through bound electric currents
A. \vec{j_b} = \nabla \times \vec M
\vec{k_b} = \vec M \times \vec{\hat{n}}
OR bound magnetic charges
B. \rho_b = -\nabla \cdot \vec M
\sigma_b = \vec M \cdot \vec{\hat{n}}

The topic originated https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=447805", there someone already suggested this is not valid inside matter but I am still not seeing it. From what I recall once bound sources are introduced (in place of matter) one can replace magnetization and polarization in Maxwell equations and boundary conditions and solve, right? What am I missing?
 
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I did not see this explicitly, but I think the important point is the assumption that the magnetization is due to bound currents only. The important point is what precisely you understand under bound charges.
I think this is equivalent to assuming that the relation between B and M is local.
The important point is that your two systems of equations state that the system can be equivalently be described knowing either only the longitudinal part or the transversal part of the magnetization. Hence you need some equation which links the two.
 


They are alternate ways of doing the same thing.
The (fictitious) magnetic charge is easier, which is why it is intorduced.
 


So it works for both internal and external field, right?
 


anybody?
 


what is the field due to bound magnetic charges of an arbitrarily long uniformly magnetized bar magnet?
is it not arbitrarily small everywhere (except at the very ends)?​

what is the field of the same bar magnet due to bound electric currents?
is it not uniform inside the bar magnet and arbitrarily small everywhere else (except at the very ends)?​
 
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dgOnPhys said:
anybody?

I thought I said right.
 

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