Rate of decreasing static field - is it measurable?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the measurement of the rate at which a static electric field decreases when a charged object moves through space, and the relationship between this change and the formation of a magnetic field. Participants explore theoretical aspects and seek empirical evidence regarding this phenomenon.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that as a static charge moves, the static electric field reduces while a magnetic field forms, questioning how to measure the rate of this change.
  • Another participant challenges the initial claim, stating that the static electric field is not dependent on velocity and provides equations for electric and magnetic forces.
  • A participant raises a question about the relationship between electric and magnetic fields, referencing a potential constant involving their multiplication.
  • Further discussion indicates that the relationship may involve changes in geometry due to Lorentz transformations when transitioning between inertial frames.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relationship between static electric fields and velocity, with no consensus reached on the measurement of the changing static force or the implications of the equations presented.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the dependence of the static electric field on velocity and the implications of Maxwell's equations in this context. The discussion also touches on the complexities introduced by Lorentz transformations.

lenfromkits
Messages
106
Reaction score
0
If a static charge is placed on an object, and that object begins to move through space, a magnetic field will form around the object (relative to a stationary observer).

At the same time, the static field around the object will begin to reduce. The faster the object moves, the stronger the magnetic field will become and the weaker the static force.

How do we measure that rate of the changing static force? Is this rate completely theoretical (I believe it's something like P=E.H.sineo), or has anyone managed to actually measure the static force at high speeds to 'actually' measure this change? Where could I find those results?

Thanks!
:)
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
lenfromkits said:
If a static charge is placed on an object, and that object begins to move through space, a magnetic field will form around the object (relative to a stationary observer).

At the same time, the static field around the object will begin to reduce. The faster the object moves, the stronger the magnetic field will become and the weaker the static force.

How do we measure that rate of the changing static force? Is this rate completely theoretical (I believe it's something like P=E.H.sineo), or has anyone managed to actually measure the static force at high speeds to 'actually' measure this change? Where could I find those results?

Thanks!
:)

Actually, I don't that's quite right. The (static) electric field is not a function of velocity.

[tex]\vec E = \frac{1}{4 \pi \epsilon _0}\frac{q}{r^2} \hat r[/tex]

[tex]\vec F_E = q\vec E[/tex]

The magnetic field is, on the other hand.

[tex]\vec B = \frac{\mu _0}{4 \pi}\frac{q (\vec v \times \hat r)}{r^2}[/tex]

[tex]F_M = q(\vec v \times \vec B)[/tex]

Thus the total force is,

[tex]\vec F = \vec F_E + \vec F_M[/tex]

[tex]= q \vec E + q(\vec v \times \vec B)[/tex]

If you calculate the relative strengths between the electric and magnetic force (as a function of v) you get an interesting result. Note that Maxwell's equations tell us that the speed of light in a vacuum is [tex]c = \frac{1}{\sqrt{\epsilon _0 \mu _0}}[/tex].
 
Were not E and H multiplied by each other supposed to equal a constant?
 
lenfromkits said:
Were not E and H multiplied by each other supposed to equal a constant?

Something like

[tex]\vec E \cdot \vec H = \vec E' \cdot \vec H'[/tex]

Yeah, but I think that's more to do with the geometry changing when you go from one from one inertial frame to another inertial frame (at a different velocity) due to Lorenz transformations.

Yeah, I think I see what you mean now. But I'll let others comment from here.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K