What is the resultant force on a conducting plate in a magnetic field?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the resultant force acting on a conducting plate placed within a magnetic field, particularly in the context of a lightning strike. Participants explore the behavior of free charges in the plate and the implications of current flow in relation to magnetic forces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Raúl questions the resultant force on a conducting plate in a magnetic field, noting a lack of resources on this specific scenario.
  • One participant suggests that the question can be related to the behavior of free charges in a conductive plate, implying that this understanding can lead to insights about the forces involved.
  • Another participant proposes integrating forces if considering two plates with evenly distributed current, drawing a parallel to charged rods.
  • Raúl clarifies that the scenario involves a lightning strike, which causes a radial current flow across the plate, and expresses interest in determining the downward force exerted by the magnetic field created by the lightning.
  • A participant notes that the redistribution of free charges on the edge of the plate occurs upon lightning strike, suggesting that this phenomenon could be analogous to current in a wire.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints on the nature of forces acting on the plate, with some suggesting analogies to other physical scenarios. However, there is no consensus on the specific resultant force or its calculation, leaving the discussion unresolved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion lacks detailed mathematical formulations and assumptions regarding the magnetic field strength, the properties of the conductive plate, and the exact nature of the lightning strike's impact.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying electromagnetism, particularly in contexts involving conductive materials and transient electrical phenomena like lightning strikes.

munozcim
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Dear all,

I've found in many books forces acting between 2 parallel wires, but not between a magnetic field and a surface. Let's now imagine a conducting plate which is within a magnetic field. Which is the resultant force acting on that panel?
Many thanks in advance!

Raúl
 
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Hi there,

Thinking about it, your question should boil down to a wire in an electric field. I assume that you plate is conductive. What happens to the "free" charges in a conductive plate? (come on this is simple).

From this result, you can apply a wire current within a magnetic field.

Cheers
 
If you are talking about two plates of evenly distributed current, I should think you can integrate the forces to find the answer.

It reminds me of the problem of the forces two equally and linearly uniformly charged rods exert on each other.
 
Last edited:
Thanks fatra2 and espen180 for your quick reply. Actually I'm thinking about a lightning strike which is acting on a conductive plate. The current flows from the attachment point to the whole plate in a radial way in all directions. The plate can be assumed as isotropic.
The magnetic field created by the lightning strike acts on the conductive plate pushing it downwards. I would like to know the value of that pushing force.
cheers
 
But no matter what, once your lightning strikes the conductive plates, the extra free charges will redistribute on the edge of the plate. Therefore, applying current in a wire could be applied.

Cheers
 

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