What is magnetic pole? What is sink/source?

In summary, the conversation discusses the definitions of magnetic poles and sink/source, and whether they are the same thing. It also mentions the possibility of locating magnetic poles through experiments and equations, and the concept of magnetic monopoles. The conversation also delves into the principles and equations behind superposition of magnetic fields. Ultimately, it is concluded that magnetic poles do not actually exist in the same sense as electric charges, and the term "pole" is simply a convenience.
  • #1
marion.s
12
0
What is the definition of 'magnetic pole' and 'sink/source'? Same thing?

Are there any experiments and equations that can locate magnetic poles?

How far away are magnetic north and south poles of single spinning electron?
 
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  • #2
There are monopoles and there are dipoles. Monopoles are sinks/sources (e.g. point masses, charges) which give a nonzero divergence. Magnetic dipoles (the type you find in solenoids, say) give zero divergence because on the whole they are neither sources nor sinks. So no, they are not the same thing.

Um, I suppose you could wave a Hall probe around in space. I don't think it's very meaningful to point to something and call it a magnetic pole in the same sense as you could with one half of an electric dipole, precisely because there are no sources/sinks. I guess this probably renders the electron thing moot too.
 
  • #3
Some people have built particle detectors to search for magnetic monopole "rays", pull monopoles out of meteor dust (and moon dust?), and even built the magnetic equivalent of a toroidal electric circulating current, using ground-up meteor dust in balls of epoxy. No monopoles found.
Bob S
 
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  • #4
darthoctopus said:
There are monopoles and there are dipoles. Monopoles are sinks/sources (e.g. point masses, charges) which give a nonzero divergence. Magnetic dipoles (the type you find in solenoids, say) give zero divergence because on the whole they are neither sources nor sinks. So no, they are not the same thing.

F= k* q1*q1/r^2

F= k* m1*m2/r^2

These equations describe both poles and sources/sinks of electric and gravity fields to be in the same location, so why is that not the definition of what poles and source/sinks are - the points of attraction/repulsion?

How do you define "field pole"? How do you define "sink/souce?


Um, I suppose you could wave a Hall probe around in space. I don't think it's very meaningful to point to something and call it a magnetic pole in the same sense as you could with one half of an electric dipole, precisely because there are no sources/sinks. I guess this probably renders the electron thing moot too.

How do you call the place in a magnetic field towards which opposite magnetic field gets attracted to? Why is that not a sink?
 
  • #5
Bob S said:
Some people have built particle detectors to search for magnetic monopole "rays", pull monopoles out of meteor dust (and moon dust?), and even built the magnetic equivalent of a toroidal electric circulating current, using ground-up meteor dust in balls of epoxy. No monopoles found.
Bob S

How do you define "pole"? How do you define "sink/source"?

How far away are magnetic north and south of a single electron?

Do magnetic field lines actually go through poles or circle around them?
 
  • #6
Superposition of magnetic fields

Looking at a single electron as a source of magnetic dipole moment we may notice that even though these two magnetic poles have to be extremely close to each other the magnetic fields do not cancel out as electric fields would. What are the principles, definitions and equations describing superposition of magnetic fields?
 
  • #7
without magnetic charges, magnetic field lines form closed loops. The term "pole" is just a convenience of orientation of the magnetic field with respect to a coordinate system. It doesn't mean there are actually poles, as in charges. "dipole moment" contains the same type of information: orientation of magnetic field in coordinate system.
 

FAQ: What is magnetic pole? What is sink/source?

What is magnetic pole?

Magnetic poles are the two points on a magnet where the magnetic field is strongest. One pole is called the north pole and the other is called the south pole. These poles have opposite charges and attract or repel each other.

What is a sink/source?

In the context of electricity and electronics, a sink/source refers to a device or component that either absorbs (sinks) or supplies (sources) electric current. A sink is typically a component that draws current from a circuit, while a source is a component that supplies current to a circuit.

What is the difference between magnetic pole and electric pole?

Magnetic poles are points on a magnet where the magnetic field is strongest, while electric poles are points on an electric charge where the electric field is strongest. Unlike magnetic poles, electric poles can be both positive and negative, whereas magnetic poles are always paired as north and south.

How are magnetic poles created?

Magnetic poles are created by the movement of electric charges, such as electrons. When these charges move, they create a magnetic field around them. In a magnet, the movement of electrons in the atoms aligns the magnetic fields, creating the two poles.

Why do magnets have two poles?

Magnets have two poles because of the way the magnetic fields are created. The movement of electric charges in the atoms aligns the magnetic fields in one direction, creating a north pole, and in the opposite direction, creating a south pole. This results in the two poles being present in all magnets.

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