rrosenthal said:Also, what would a hypothetical observer traveling at the same speed and direction as the electrons see---regarding a magnetic field---??
ModusPwnd said:This is a great question that physics people love to answer! They would not see a magnetic field. They would only see an electric field. Crazy huh? Thats how it works and that is why we often refer to the electromagnetic field as a single entity. How much of the electric part and magnetic part you see depends on how fast you are traveling (your frame of reference).
A magnetic field is generated by a stream of electrons when the electrons are moving in a consistent direction. This movement of electrons creates a current, which in turn produces a magnetic field. The strength of the magnetic field depends on the speed and density of the electrons in the stream.
The magnetic field generated by a stream of electrons is perpendicular to the direction of the electron stream. This means that the magnetic field lines are at a 90-degree angle to the direction of the electrons' movement.
While a single electron does have a magnetic field, it is extremely weak and cannot be detected. A strong magnetic field can only be generated by a large number of electrons moving in the same direction, such as in a beam or stream.
The strength of a magnetic field can be measured using a device called a gaussmeter. This instrument detects the magnetic field strength in units of gauss or tesla. Other methods, such as using a magnetometer or Hall effect sensor, can also be used to measure the strength of a magnetic field.
The direction of a magnetic field generated by a stream of electrons can be determined using the right-hand rule. If you point your right thumb in the direction of the electron stream, then the curl of your fingers will indicate the direction of the magnetic field lines. Alternatively, the direction of the magnetic field can also be determined by using a compass, which will align with the magnetic field lines.