Vector addition of gravitaional , magnetic and elctrical field

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the consideration of gravitational, magnetic, and electrical fields as vectors and the implications of their vector addition. Participants explore the nature of these fields, their interactions, and the conditions under which they can be compared or combined.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that gravitational, magnetic, and electrical fields can be considered as vectors based on the forces they exert on test sources.
  • Others argue that the term "field" can refer to both vector fields and scalar fields, highlighting the distinction between force and potential.
  • A participant questions whether the gravitational field can be in equilibrium with electrical and magnetic fields when considering their vector addition.
  • Another participant references the Millikan oil drop experiment as an example related to the equilibrium of fields.
  • One participant disagrees with the notion of adding these fields directly, stating that they are incommensurable due to differing units, but acknowledges that forces produced by the fields can be added.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether the fields can be added as vectors, with some supporting the idea and others contesting it based on the incommensurability of the fields.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved questions regarding the definitions of fields and the conditions under which they can be considered for vector addition, as well as the implications of different units associated with each field.

shivakumar06
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can we consider gravitational field, magnetic field and electrical field as vector? can see the net result of this field.
 
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shivakumar06 said:
can we consider gravitational field, magnetic field and electrical field as vector? can see the net result of this field.

A bit of a puzzle here with this question.

What exactly do you mean by "field" in this question? I can put a net test source (be it a mass or a charge), and it feels a force from the field. This "force", as we all know, is a vector. So in that case, yes, you can consider the field as a vector based on the reaction of the test source.

But I can also describe them as a scalar field, i.e. the scalar potential field. Look for example, the electrostatic potential and the electrostatic E-field. One is a scalar, the other is a vector.

So what exactly are you asking for here? It is difficult to decipher when you have only one line and do not provide a more in-depth explanation.

Zz.
 
sir is the the gravitational field in equilibrium with electrical and magnetic field if we consider vector addition of all the possible field present at any point in universe?
 
shivakumar06 said:
sir is the the gravitational field in equilibrium with electrical and magnetic field if we consider vector addition of all the possible field present at any point in universe?

Sure! That's what they did in the Millikan oil drop experiment.

Zz.
 
shivakumar06 said:
sir is the the gravitational field in equilibrium with electrical and magnetic field if we consider vector addition of all the possible field present at any point in universe?

I don't agree with ZapperZ's answer. These fields cannot be added because they are incommensurable (They have different units). You can add the forces produced by the fields to each other though (That's what ZapperZ meant.)
 

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