Whether the voltage is actually a magnetic force?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the nature of voltage and its relationship to magnetic forces, particularly in the context of electrical circuits and energy transformation in devices like alternators. Participants explore whether voltage can be considered a magnetic force that pushes electrons, and the implications of electromagnetic theory on this understanding.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions if voltage is a magnetic force that pushes electrons through a circuit, suggesting a theoretical basis for this idea.
  • Several participants assert that voltage is not a magnetic force but rather an electrostatic force that relates to energy per unit charge.
  • It is noted that the electric and magnetic forces are interconnected, with voltage leading to an electric field rather than a magnetic one.
  • Another participant mentions Faraday's law, indicating that a change in magnetic field induces an electric field, which is relevant to how alternators function.
  • Some participants express frustration with the use of non-standard terminology and emphasize the importance of established scientific language and concepts, particularly Maxwell's equations.
  • There is a discussion about the transformation of mechanical energy into electrical energy and the roles of magnetic and electric forces in this process.
  • One participant challenges the clarity of another's claims, suggesting that misunderstandings arise from the use of simplified language rather than established scientific terms.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the characterization of voltage, with some insisting it is not a force while others explore its relationship with magnetic forces. The discussion remains unresolved, with competing views on the nature of voltage and its role in electrical circuits.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference established theories and laws, such as Faraday's law and Maxwell's equations, but there is a lack of consensus on how these concepts relate to the original question about voltage as a magnetic force. Some claims are challenged without resolution, indicating a need for clearer definitions and understanding of the underlying physics.

torxxx
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My question is whether voltage is actually a magnetic force that pushes electrons through the electrical circuit. My question arises from the fact that conductor passes through the magnetic field and if the circuit is closed we have the electron movement as some force pushes the electrons it should be a magnetic force and I think we called this force as voltage of course this is just a theory and I'm interested in your opinion.
 
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No. It is an electrostatic force that pushes the charge carriers. The voltage is the associated energy per unit of charge.
 
No. This is not a matter of opinion.

The electric and magnetic forces are related, but the potential leads to an electric field, not a magnetic one.
 
Orodruin said:
No. This is not a matter of opinion.

The electric and magnetic forces are related, but the potential leads to an electric field, not a magnetic one.
ok then does that mean that the magnetic force creates another force voltage or potential pressure ... which then pushes the electrons through the closed circuit because say within the alternator the magnetic force transforms the mechanical energy into the electric energy
 
Yes. The change in magnetic field causes an electric field (Faraday's law)
That's why the alternator does not generate anything when standing still :smile:
 
torxxx said:
ok then does that mean that the magnetic force creates another force voltage or potential pressure ... which then pushes the electrons through the closed circuit because say within the alternator the magnetic force transforms the mechanical energy into the electric energy
Why not start with a good source of information* about this and follow the established route? If you try to make up your own theory, starting with your present level of knowledge then you will not make progress. This topic is so well grounded in measurement and solid theory that there is no room for "opinion".
*A textbook or even the top few paragraphs in this link.
 
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sophiecentaur said:
Why not start with a good source of information* about this and follow the established route? If you try to make up your own theory, starting with your present level of knowledge then you will not make progress. This topic is so well grounded in measurement and solid theory that there is no room for "opinion".
*A textbook or even the top few paragraphs in this link.
I understand and thank you for the answers but I was just wondering if what why called the magnetic force creating a new force voltage and these two forces in the combination transform the mechanical energy into the electrical energy
 
torxxx said:
I understand and thank you for the answers but I was just wondering if what why called the magnetic force creating a new force voltage and these two forces in the combination transform the mechanical energy into the electrical energy
Why bother trying to re-state a perfectly formed description that is almost two hundred years old? It's called Electromagnetism because there are two fields involved and one field changing will generate the other.
 
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sophiecentaur said:
Why bother trying to re-state a perfectly formed description that is almost two hundred years old? It's called Electromagnetism because there are two fields involved and one field changing will generate the other.
sorry but i am not regretting anything i am say exactly as you yust with different words which are less complicated and easier to understand
 
  • #10
torxxx said:
sorry but i am not regretting anything i am say exactly as you yust with different words which are less complicated and easier to understand
why have one force and when magnets rotate why have two force and energy transformation mechanical to electrical
 
  • #11
torxxx said:
why have one force and when magnets rotate why have two force and energy transformation mechanical to electrical
Please use complete sentences and initial upper case.
 
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  • #12
torxxx said:
i am say exactly as you yust with different words which are less complicated and easier to understand

Easier to misunderstand, perhaps easier to think you understand when you don't, but not easier to understand.
 
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  • #13
Vanadium 50 said:
Easier to misunderstand, perhaps easier to think you understand when you don't, but not easier to understand.
You beat me to it!
like ++
 
  • #14
torxxx said:
i am say exactly as you yust with different words
I do not think that you are saying the same thing just with different words. Your question indicates that you do not understand Maxwell’s equations in any words. Maxwell’s equations etc. describe electromagnetism at a classical level. They describe the relationship between the voltage and the magnetic force.

I strongly encourage the deliberate study and use of the standard words. Sometimes the standard terminology is not ideal, but it is still important to know it to facilitate communication. If you are unwilling to do that, then the next best approach would be to stick with the math. Inventing your own terminology is not appropriate for PF.
 
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  • #15
Vanadium 50 said:
Easier to misunderstand, perhaps easier to think you understand when you don't, but not easier to understand.
"Excellent wise sentence " .You still have not explained to me what the difference between my claim and yours, of course, except ordinary names
 
  • #16
torxxx said:
"Excellent wise sentence " .You still have not explained to me what the difference between my claim and yours, of course, except ordinary names
You cannot be understanding the Maths if you make a statement like that. Do you seriously think that we do things the hard way just for fun? If you are so sure of yourself then you should try to derive some of the important facts that come from Maxwell without using Maxwell. That would be very impressive.
 
  • #17
torxxx said:
.You still have not explained to me what the difference between my claim and yours, of course, except ordinary names

Perhaps the best response was written a century and a half ago:

'I don't know what you mean by "glory",' Alice said.

Humpty Dumpty smiled contemptuously. 'Of course you don't — till I tell you. I meant "there's a nice knock-down argument for you!"'

'But "glory" doesn't mean "a nice knock-down argument",' Alice objected.

'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said, in rather a scornful tone, 'it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.'

If you want to communicate, it's best to stick with established vocabulary.
 
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  • #18
torxxx said:
You still have not explained to me what the difference between my claim and yours, of course, except ordinary names
Your claim is ##V=q(v \times B)## whereas we claim ## -\nabla^2 V = \rho/\epsilon_0##
 
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  • #19
torxxx said:
My question is whether voltage is actually a magnetic force that pushes electrons through the electrical circuit.
Voltage is not a force -- of any kind.
 
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