Uniqueness of magnetic vector potential

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SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies that the magnetic vector potential, denoted as ## \vec A ##, is not uniquely determined for a given magnetic field ## \vec B ##. While the magnetic field has a unique solution, there are infinitely many equivalent magnetic vector potentials related by the equation ## \vec {A'}=\vec A+\vec \nabla \phi ##, where ## \phi ## is a scalar field. This means that although the magnetic field is uniquely defined, the vector potential can vary infinitely while still producing the same magnetic field.

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fricke
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I able to prove magnetic field is uniquely determined but I am confused how to prove that magnetic vector potential is also unique.

Can I say that magnetic vector potential is uniquely determined since magnetic field has unique solution?

Thanks.
 
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For any magnetic field ## \vec B ##, there are an infinite number of equivalent magnetic vector potentials##\vec A##(##\vec B=\vec \nabla\times\vec A ##), related by ## \vec {A'}=\vec A+\vec \nabla \phi ## for some scalar field ## \phi ##. So the magnetic vector potential of a magnetic field is not uniquely determined.
 
Shyan said:
For any magnetic field ## \vec B ##, there are an infinite number of equivalent magnetic vector potentials##\vec A##(##\vec B=\vec \nabla\times\vec A ##), related by ## \vec {A'}=\vec A+\vec \nabla \phi ## for some scalar field ## \phi ##. So the magnetic vector potential of a magnetic field is not uniquely determined.

thank you very much for the reply!
As what you have explained, magnetic vector potential is not uniquely determined since there are an infinite number of equivalent vector potential A, for magnetic field B. But does it mean B also not uniquely determined since we could choose any scalar field of A?
 
fricke said:
thank you very much for the reply!
As what you have explained, magnetic vector potential is not uniquely determined since there are an infinite number of equivalent vector potential A, for magnetic field B. But does it mean B also not uniquely determined since we could choose any scalar field of A?
As I said, all those infinite number of vector potentials are equivalent, which means they all give the same magnetic field. That's because ## \vec \nabla \times \vec \nabla \phi=0 ## for any scalar field ## \phi ##. So ## \vec{A'}=\vec A+\vec\nabla \phi \Rightarrow \vec\nabla\times\vec {A'}=\vec\nabla\times\vec A ##.
 
Shyan said:
As I said, all those infinite number of vector potentials are equivalent, which means they all give the same magnetic field. That's because ## \vec \nabla \times \vec \nabla \phi=0 ## for any scalar field ## \phi ##. So ## \vec{A'}=\vec A+\vec\nabla \phi \Rightarrow \vec\nabla\times\vec {A'}=\vec\nabla\times\vec A ##.

thank you very much! I understand now! thank you.
 

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