Why do magnets attract or repel each other?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the fundamental principles of magnetism, specifically the attraction and repulsion between magnets. The interaction is primarily attributed to electrostatic forces, which, due to the movement of electrons, are transformed into magnetic forces as explained by relativity. The concept of Quantum Electrodynamics (QED) is introduced as a potential framework for understanding the underlying mechanisms, particularly regarding the direction of movement between magnets. However, the exact reasons for the directional movement of magnets remain less clearly defined.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electrostatic forces
  • Basic knowledge of electron behavior and charge
  • Familiarity with the principles of relativity
  • Introduction to Quantum Electrodynamics (QED)
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of electrostatics and their relation to magnetism
  • Explore the role of electron movement in generating magnetic fields
  • Study the basics of Quantum Electrodynamics (QED)
  • Investigate proposed explanations for charge quantization
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Students of physics, educators in magnetism, and anyone interested in the fundamental forces of nature will benefit from this discussion.

blumfeld0
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If I have one magnet sitting on a table and I take another magnet and bring close to the first one it will move towards the magnet!
This is amazing to me. My question is why does one magnet make another move toward or away from it? what is the origin of magnetic force.
I think it has something to do with QED(thats why I am posting in the quantum forum) -perhaps the exchange of virtual particles and hence momentum but I am not sure.
Is there a simpler explanation? if not can someone elaborate on the virtual particle scenario if that is the correct one?

thank you
 
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You are asking two different questions. The first question is "what makes the one magnet move?". That's electrostatic force. But since the electrons are moving, relativity makes the force into a magnetic force. That's all.

The second question is "why does it move AWAY or TOWARD". I don't know the answer to that. I think that is where smarter people start using the acronym QED.
 
actionintegral said:
The second question is "why does it move AWAY or TOWARD". I don't know the answer to that. I think that is where smarter people start using the acronym QED.

The electrons have electric charge (unexplained datum*). An explanation for the direction of motion that is effective at the scales of humanly accessible energies is that electrons moving one way generate a different current from electrons moving the other, and relativity as you said makes that into a magnetic force, but differently directed for the two cases.


*There are proposed explanations for charge quantization, but I am not aware of any mainstream explanation for the existence of charge itself.
 

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