What Causes the Magnetic Field in Magnetized Iron?

[Emily6]

Homework Statement

What is the underlying basis of the magnetic field in a magnetized piece of iron?

The Attempt at a Solution

I have absolutely no clue what this problem is asking or how to go about answering it.

Thanks in advance

 

[robb_]

Have you learned of anything that produces a magnetic field?

 

[Emily6]

Such as the Earth and electric current?

 

[robb_]

Yes, good.
An electric current is what again and might we find that in matter somehow? (I am leaving this vague for now)

 

[Emily6]

Electric current is the rate of charge flow through a given point. I think we can find electric current in matter because there can be charges acting upon each other?

 

[robb_]

Okay.
Take a simplified view of the atom. Is there any current associated with this picture?

 

[Emily6]

There can be if it has a charge?

 

[robb_]

Well, what is an atom composed of? Think of maybe the Bohr model, ie. no need for full on quantum here.

 

[Emily6]

It is composed of protons, neutrons, electrons. Is charged atomic particles the answer to this question?

 

[robb_]

What about those electrons? Do they have motion about the nucleus?

 

[Emily6]

Yes they move around the nucleus.

 

[robb_]

Do electrons have charge?

 

[Emily6]

Yes they have a negative charge.

 

[robb_]

So you have a charge moving, is that a current?

 

[Emily6]

Yes it is a current.

 

[robb_]

Nice! Now you may want to flush this out further by considering the motion (orbit) of the electron and what the field would look like from this one "atom."