Potential created by two magnetic monopoles

In summary, the conversation discusses determining the expression for the potential created by two magnetic monopoles placed in the Earth's rotation axis. There is confusion about the type of potential being requested and the orientation of the monopole-to-monopole line. The conversation also mentions comparing this potential with that of a magnetic dipole and addressing the inclination of the monopoles with respect to a vertical axis perpendicular to the equator. The conversation concludes by discussing the potential in relation to the axis of rotation of the Earth.
  • #1
Carmen_8
5
0

Homework Statement


Determine the expression for the potential created by two magnetic monopoles (one positive, the other negative) that are equidistant from Earth's center (a/2 is the distant from each monopole to the Earth's center) and that are placed in the rotation axis.

Homework Equations


The problem that I have with this exercise is that the line that joins the two monoples is inclined, since they are on Earth's rotation axis.

The Attempt at a Solution

 
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  • #2
Carmen_8 said:
Determine the expression for the potential ...
What kind of potential? Please explain.
Carmen_8 said:
... the line that joins the two monoples is inclined, ...
Inclined with respect to what?
 
  • #3
The magnetic dipole created by the two monopoles, i.e. two charges. They ask for this, because they want us to compare this potential (using superposition) with the magnetic potential that is created by a magnetic dipole.

The monopoles are on the Earth's rotation axis, so they are inclined with respect a vertical axis, perpendicular to the equator. Rotation axis forms an angle θ with this vertical axis perpendicular to equator.
 
  • #4
So you want to show that the magnetic scalar potential produced by two magnetic "monopoles" is, to some approximation, that of a point magnetic dipole. Is that right? Even if the line joining the two monopoles were at an angle with respect to some other axis, you can always define the monopole-to-monopole line as the z-axis conventionally and proceed from there. Why should the existence of this other z-axis affect the potential that you are seeking?
Carmen_8 said:
Rotation axis forms an angle θ with this vertical axis perpendicular to equator.
What defines this "vertical" direction? Are you saying that the equatorial plane is not perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the Earth?
 

1. What are magnetic monopoles?

Magnetic monopoles are hypothetical particles that carry a single magnetic pole, either a north or south pole, without the presence of the other pole. This is in contrast to regular magnets which have both a north and south pole.

2. How are magnetic monopoles created?

Magnetic monopoles are not currently known to exist in nature. They are theorized to be created through a process called "symmetry breaking" in which the symmetry of a particle's properties is disrupted, resulting in the creation of magnetic monopoles.

3. What is the potential created by two magnetic monopoles?

The potential created by two magnetic monopoles is a measure of the force between them. It is similar to the potential created by two electric charges, and is described by Coulomb's law which states that the force is directly proportional to the product of the two monopole charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.

4. How do magnetic monopoles interact with each other?

Magnetic monopoles interact with each other through the exchange of photons, just like regular magnets. However, due to the fact that they only have a single pole, their interactions are much stronger than those of regular magnets.

5. Are magnetic monopoles important to scientific research?

Yes, the existence of magnetic monopoles could have significant implications for our understanding of fundamental physics and the structure of the universe. Their potential creation and detection is an active area of research in theoretical and experimental physics.

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