The third law of Newton is always fulfilled?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the applicability of Newton's third law in the context of two charged particles moving perpendicularly. It is argued that the law fails because the magnetic field created by one particle does not exert an equal force on the other particle at the same location. While electric fields are present and do obey the third law, the magnetic forces do not, leading to an asymmetry in the interactions. Participants debate whether the electric field can compensate for this discrepancy, but the consensus leans towards acknowledging the failure of the third law in this specific scenario. Ultimately, the interaction of charged particles under these conditions highlights complexities in classical physics.
chuy
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Is certain that this law not fulfilled in the case of two charged particles moving in perpendicular directions (the force exerted in the particle A by the magnetic field of B is not equal to the exerted one in B by the magnetic field of A) ? Why?

Bye!
 
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Why do you think it wouldn't hold?
 
of course it is

How would the third law not apply? Sure, the particles would have motion different than uncharged particles, but if you consider the magnetic and electrical forces, everything works.
 
Indeed Newtons 3. law fails this situation. If you have 2 charged particles moving perpendicular like in the following config.

A
*->

* B
| (x) \mathbf{B}
v

You can look at it as currents in those directions. Then A will create a magnetic field given by the righthand rule. The direction of the B-field from A at B is as shown into the page (x). If particle B (with a charge q) have the velocity \mathbf{u}, then the force on B from A will be

\mathbf{F}=q(\mathbf{u}\times\mathbf{B})

But there is no magnetic field from the charge B at exactly that spot of A, so there won't be a force from B acting on A there, but there is a force acting on B from A. And here is the failure of Newtons 3. law.
 
What about the electric field?
 
wxrocks said:
What about the electric field?
Newton's third law certianly applies here.
 
Then, if we also consider electric field, Isn't violated the law? How?

Greetings!
 
There will be an electric field not matter what, otherwise it wouldn't be called an electric charge. But there will also be a magnetic field if they are moving, with an electric field, obeying the 3rd law of Newton, but it's the force due to the magnetic field that fails the 3rd law.
 
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