Shape of electromagnetic field

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the shapes and configurations of electromagnetic fields, particularly in relation to their generation and confinement within specific dimensions, such as cylindrical shapes. Participants explore theoretical aspects, practical applications, and the mathematical framework governing electromagnetic fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the possibility of creating an electromagnetic field in the shape of a cylinder with specific dimensions that can be controlled electrically.
  • Another participant suggests using the Maxwell Partial Differential Equations (PDE) to analyze the proposed electromagnetic configurations.
  • A different viewpoint asserts that a field does not have a shape but can be confined to a space using materials, providing the example of a parallel plate capacitor.
  • There is a clarification regarding the Maxwell PDE, explaining that these equations describe the behavior of electromagnetic fields and involve functions of electric and magnetic fields with their partial derivatives.
  • Participants express interest in tools or software that can visualize solutions to the Maxwell equations, with mention of numerical techniques and specific programs like CST.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of electromagnetic fields and their shapes, with no consensus reached on the initial inquiry about cylindrical configurations. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the practical implementation of these concepts.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note the complexity of solving Maxwell's equations and the potential need for numerical methods, indicating that the discussion may depend on specific assumptions about the configurations and materials involved.

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hello

what are the shapes that a magnetic (of electromagnetic origin, so that it will be able to vary in intensity and switch on/off controlled by electricity) can have?

for example, can we create an electromagnetic in the shape of a cylinder of specific dimensions? ie. to produce an electromagnetic field that will only be present and act in the limits of a given dimension cylinder?

thanks!
 
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Just plug the solution that you are interested in into the Maxwell PDE and see if inconsistecy arise. Have fun.
 
A field has a value - possibly zero - at every point in space. It doesn't have a shape.

It is possible to confine a field to a space, but it requires materials. For example, the field inside a parallel plate capacitor is non-zero, but outside it is zero. If you rolled it up into a cylindrical shape, the field would be zero everywhere outside and would have regions of non-zero value on the inside.
 
GiuseppeR7 said:
Just plug the solution that you are interested in into the Maxwell PDE and see if inconsistecy arise. Have fun.

what is Maxwell PDE? you throw a term with some initials and you expect us to know it
 
I'm sorry...my fault. Not so much time ago a guy called Maxwell performed experiments on the electromagnetic fields, and with the data from the experiments and some logic he "invented" the mathematical rules that electromagnetic fields follow. These are not simple algebraic equations but equations involving the various E(x,y,z,t) and B(x,y,z,t) functions and theirs partial derivatives. This kind of equations are called Partial Differential Equations. If an electromagnetic fields exist you can be certain that it is a solution of the infinite solutions of the Maxwell PDE.
 
GiuseppeR7 said:
I'm sorry...my fault. Not so much time ago a guy called Maxwell performed experiments on the electromagnetic fields, and with the data from the experiments and some logic he "invented" the mathematical rules that electromagnetic fields follow. These are not simple algebraic equations but equations involving the various E(x,y,z,t) and B(x,y,z,t) functions and theirs partial derivatives. This kind of equations are called Partial Differential Equations. If an electromagnetic fields exist you can be certain that it is a solution of the infinite solutions of the Maxwell PDE.

that's cool of him
is there an online tool to experiment with the various solutions of these equations? to generate visual representations of electromagnetic fields?
 
:) solving those PDE is very difficult...there are some numerical techniques (it means that they are not solved "mathematically" so to speak), there are some VERY expansive programs like CST that help scientists visualize and study EM fields...i sincerely do not know if there is something on the web for some specific case...maybe try to look at the Wolfram site! there are some demos probably
 

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