What moves in a magnetic field?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of magnetism, the behavior of magnetic fields, and their relationship with electromagnetic fields. Participants explore concepts at both the macroscopic and atomic levels, questioning what moves or changes in a magnetic field and how magnetism relates to the electromagnetic spectrum.

Discussion Character

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

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that nothing moves along magnetic field lines, which are merely a visualization tool for understanding magnetic fields.
  • Questions arise about what changes at the atomic level that cause magnets to exert attractive forces.
  • One participant asserts that magnetism is an inherent property of the electromagnetic force, similar to the attraction between opposite electric charges.
  • There is a discussion about whether a magnet can attract faster than the speed of light, with some participants proposing that changes in the magnetic field propagate at light speed.
  • Participants express confusion about how magnetism fits into the electromagnetic spectrum, with some arguing that static magnetic fields do not have a wavelength or frequency.
  • There is a debate about the relationship between electric and magnetic fields, with some participants arguing they are different manifestations of the same underlying phenomenon.
  • Concerns are raised about the definitions of electric and magnetic fields, with some participants questioning the equivalence of the two despite their interrelated behavior.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the nature of magnetism, the behavior of magnetic fields, and their relationship to electric fields. The discussion remains unresolved, with no consensus on several key points.

Contextual Notes

Some participants highlight the complexity of the concepts being discussed, indicating that definitions and assumptions about fields and forces may vary. There are also unresolved questions about the implications of moving charges and the nature of electromagnetic interactions.

  • #31
davenn said:
oscillating/accelerating charged particles, either electrons or protons, will emit EM radiation/energy it will radiate out from the source just like the waves radiate out across a pond when you toss a pebble into the water.. Think of the water as the E/M field, it is always there, the waves are just disturbances in that field

Thanks
 
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Likes   Reactions: davenn

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