# What is the difference between electric field and magnetic field

1. Aug 12, 2012

### Lizwi

What is the difference between electric field and magnetic field

2. Aug 12, 2012

### Muphrid

Re: Electromagnetisms

From a special relativistic perspective, nothing--they're just different aspects of the same combined EM field, components that arise from different kinds of currents.

I suspect this isn't the answer that would help you most, though. Perhaps you have a more specific question in mind?

3. Aug 12, 2012

### dydxforsn

Re: Electromagnetisms

$$\nabla \circ \vec{E} = \frac{\rho}{\epsilon_{0}}$$
$$\nabla \times \vec{E} = -\frac{{\partial}{\vec{B}}}{{\partial}{t}}$$
vs.
$$\nabla \circ \vec{B} = 0$$
$$\nabla \times \vec{B} = \mu_{0} \vec{J} + \mu_{0} \epsilon_{0} \frac{{\partial}{E}}{{\partial}{t}}$$

heh, sorry, I couldn't resist..

4. Aug 13, 2012

### cragar

Re: Electromagnetisms

classically electric fields are caused by charge and magnetic fields are caused by moving charges in the static case. and if I have a time-varying E or B field they can induce the other field. And my relative motion with some stationary charge I could see a B field in my frame or an E field depending on the configuration.

5. Aug 14, 2012

### sanjib ghosh

Re: Electromagnetisms

This is not the complete story, please include Lorentz Force equation. To make difference
between E and B, it is very important to remember how do they interact with some particle, that is the only way to know about them( E or B).

6. Aug 14, 2012

### cragar

Re: Electromagnetisms

as sanjib ghosh is getting at. The E field will affect a charged particle at rest by a B field will not cause a charged particle at rest to move.