Moving charge in a magnetic field, magnetic-magnetic interaction?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of a charged particle moving through a magnetic field and the nature of the forces acting on it. Participants explore whether the interaction is due to magnetic-magnetic interaction or magnetic-electric interaction, considering both theoretical and illustrative aspects.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the force on a charged particle moving through a magnetic field is due to magnetic-magnetic interaction, suggesting that the particle creates its own magnetic field which interacts with the external field.
  • Others argue that the force is a result of magnetic-electric interaction, questioning how the forces from the external field and the particle's field interact.
  • A participant raises a concern about whether the forces from the external homogeneous field on the concentric field cancel out, seeking clarification through illustrations.
  • Another participant emphasizes that the magnetic-magnetic interaction approach involves integrating over the magnetic field energy density of the combined vector fields, while noting that using the Lorentz force method is simpler.
  • One participant illustrates the situation with diagrams, attempting to clarify how the forces exerted on individual components contribute to the overall force on the charged particle.
  • There is mention of calculating magnetic energy density in a conductor and how it relates to the forces experienced in the magnetic field.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the interaction is primarily magnetic-magnetic or magnetic-electric. Multiple competing views remain, with ongoing questions about the nature of the forces involved.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty regarding the cancellation of forces and the integration of magnetic field energy density, indicating that these aspects are not fully resolved within the discussion.

henxan
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When a charged particle moves through a magnetic field, the field excerts a force in the normal-direction (90 degrees)..

Is this caused by magnetic-magnetic interaction? I.e. a charged moving particle sets ut a circular magnetic field, is it this field which interacts with the magnetic field?

Or, is it a megnetic electric interaction?
 
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It is magnetic-magnetic interaction. Force of magnetic field interaction is maximum when they are parallel. When the charge is moving in the perpendicular direction to the external magnetic field, concentric magnetic field is parallel to the external field. So the force on the charge is perpendicular to both the external field and the direction of the electron.
 
First, thanks for the reply.

But, does not the forces, by the external homogenous field on the concentric field, cancel out?

Do you know of any illustrations which can clarify this?
 
I never got a good enough answer to my enquiry. I will try to express the question more clearly:

[PLAIN]http://www.lightandmatter.com/html_books/0sn/ch11/figs/biotgeom.png
Figure 1. The magnetic field of a moving charge segment. This is in principle equal to the field set up by a moving charge. Here we have a moving positive particle traveling to the left. The magnetic field set up by the charged particle is illustrated for 3 concentric fields.

qydegj.png

Figure 2. An object enters a homogenous magnetic field.

What i was wondering about was the case when we combine figs.1 and 2.

  • The charged particle is setting up a magnetic field
  • The charged particle moves into the magnetic field
  • The charged particle moving in the magnetic field is subjected to a force
So my question, again, is:
Why is the particle bending?
  1. The magnetic field excerts a force on the moving point charge, in a magnetic-charge interaction.
  2. The magnetic field excerts a force on the magnetic field SET UP by the moving particle, in a magnetic-magnetic interaction.
Which is correct? 1 or 2?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You can have it either way. The magnetic-magnetic interaction approach requires an integration over the magnetic field energy density of the combined vector fields. On one side, the vector fields add, and on the other side, they subtract, as rl.bhat pointed out. So using the Lorentz qv x B force method is much simpler. If you do a Lorentz transform into the charged particle rest frame, The static magnetic field transforms into an electric field, so all the magnetic fields disappear..

Bob S
 
at: Bob S
Thanks! I sure hope it is possible to show a magnetic-magnetic interaction :).. but how??

I have inserted an image:

Presentasjon1.png


At the top left: A proton moving through a homogenous magnetic field. The red, poorly illustrated, circles with dots and crosses, illustrates the cross section of the magnetic field created by the particle.
Top right: The same as in the top left image, but now our angle of view is 90degrees. The particle is moving into the screen.
Bottom image: To get an understanding of the top right image, let's illustrate the concentric magnetic field by 8 magnets. If we look at the forces excerted on the individual magnets, they only give a torque on the individual magnets. For the whole, they all add up.

So, how can there be a force directed left?
 
henxan said:
at: Bob S
Thanks! I sure hope it is possible to show a magnetic-magnetic interaction :).. but how??
So, how can there be a force directed left?
In the attached thumbnail, a current Ix out of the page (in the x direction) crossed into the magnetic field By (in the y direction) produces a force Fz in the z direction) (see x y z coordinate system in thumbnail).

Calculate the magnetic energy density everywhere for a unit length conductor

W = \frac {1} {2\mu_0} \int B_{zw}^2 + (B_y+B_{yw})^2) dy dz

where Byw and Bzw represent the field due to the wire. In particular, note that there is a higher energy density on the right hand side, where the two magnetic fields are parallel, than on the left side, where the two magnetic fields are antiparallel. Note that there is a gradient along z in (By + Byw)2 at z = 0.

F_z = \frac {dW} {dz} = \frac {1} {2\mu_0} \int \frac{d} {dz}(B_{zw}^2 + (B_y+B_{yw})^2)dy dz

Bob S
 

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