Magnetic Field: Electric vs Pure?

In summary, the electric field decreases as the particles move faster, but the magnetic field remains constant.
  • #1
Chemist@
115
1
When charged particles aren't moving they produce an electric field. As the start to move and accelerate, the electric field intensity gets lower, but a magnetic field is being made and it increases in intensity. If the particles reach the speed of light will they produce pure magnetic field without the electric field?

An atom with unpaired electrons doesn't have a pure magnetic field, there is an electric one,too, right?
 
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  • #2
The velocity of a particle effectively has no effect on the electric field at non-relativistic speeds. A moving particle will not have a lower intensity electric field. If the particle is moving at relativistic speeds, then the effects of Lorentz contraction will actually cause a higher-intensity field perpendicular to the velocity of the particle. When a particle is traveling near the speed of light, it will have the same electric field as if it were stationary, only it will be deformed by Lorentz contraction.
 
  • #3
Chemist@ said:
When charged particles aren't moving they produce an electric field. As the start to move and accelerate, the electric field intensity gets lower, but a magnetic field is being made and it increases in intensity. If the particles reach the speed of light will they produce pure magnetic field without the electric field?
No.
An atom with unpaired electrons doesn't have a pure magnetic field, there is an electric one,too, right?
A "paired" electron is usually considered to be one that is paired with another electron with the opposite spin. But "unpaired electron" could be taken to mean that the number of electrons is not the same as the number of protons. So I am going to be careful:

An atom with the same number of electrons as protons also has an electric field.
 
  • #4
Nessdude14 said:
The velocity of a particle effectively has no effect on the electric field at non-relativistic speeds. A moving particle will not have a lower intensity electric field. If the particle is moving at relativistic speeds, then the effects of Lorentz contraction will actually cause a higher-intensity field perpendicular to the velocity of the particle. When a particle is traveling near the speed of light, it will have the same electric field as if it were stationary, only it will be deformed by Lorentz contraction.

What happens with the magnetic field?

For now, thanks to both of you for the answers.
 
  • #5
You can work it out yourself from the Lorenzt transformation and Maxwels equations ... the standard exercize given relativity students is to consider an infinite line of charge ... you should be able to work out the leectric field due to that. It is not moving so it has no magnetic field.

Now do the same for an observer moving parallel to the line.
Now, for that observer, the line of charges is moving - it's a current.

At relativistic speeds you'd get an appreciable length contraction - what does that do to the charge density? To the electric field? To the current? To the B field?

Look up "Faraday tensor".
 

1. What is the difference between electric and pure magnetic fields?

The main difference between electric and pure magnetic fields lies in their source. Electric fields are created by stationary or moving charges, while pure magnetic fields are created by moving charges only. Additionally, electric fields have both magnitude and direction, while pure magnetic fields only have direction.

2. Can electric and pure magnetic fields exist separately?

Yes, electric and pure magnetic fields can exist separately. In fact, they are often found together in nature, such as in the Earth's magnetic field which is a combination of both electric and pure magnetic fields. However, they can also exist independently, as seen in the case of a stationary charge creating an electric field or a current-carrying wire creating a pure magnetic field.

3. How do electric and pure magnetic fields interact with each other?

Electric and pure magnetic fields can interact with each other through a phenomenon known as electromagnetic induction. This occurs when a changing electric field creates a pure magnetic field, or vice versa. This interaction is the basis for many modern technologies, such as generators and electric motors.

4. What are the practical applications of electric and pure magnetic fields?

Electric and pure magnetic fields have numerous practical applications in our daily lives. Electric fields are used in the operation of electronic devices, such as computers and cell phones. Pure magnetic fields are used in a variety of industries, including transportation (trains and levitating trains), medicine (MRI machines), and energy (generators and power plants).

5. Are electric and pure magnetic fields harmful to humans?

In general, electric and pure magnetic fields do not pose a significant health risk to humans, as they are present in nature and our bodies have evolved to tolerate them. However, extremely strong magnetic fields, such as those found in MRI machines, can cause adverse effects on certain individuals, such as dizziness or nausea. It is important to follow safety guidelines and limit exposure to strong magnetic fields in these cases.

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