Why is the Magnetic Field Strength Zero at Point C Between Like Poles?

JenL
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Homework Statement


The diagram shows the magnetic field between like magnetic poles

Homework Equations


Point C is the exact middle of the region between the poles. Explain why the strength of the magnetic field at point C is zero?

The Attempt at a Solution


The like poles repel each other. In the center the magnetic fields are strongest and will be equal to each other? So they cancel out??

*Please I have only just started learning about Magnetic fields in class and I have tried looking this up but cannot seem to get the answer/ explanation
 
Hi JenL! :smile:
JenL said:
The like poles repel each other. In the center the magnetic fields are strongest and will be equal to each other? So they cancel out??

But why will they be equal to each other? :wink:

(Even if you think it's obvious, you have to give a reason)

btw, do you know about vectors?

do you know how vectors add (and when they add to zero)?​
 
I asked one of my classmates and is it because in the center there are no magnetic fields lines? (in the diagrams there are no magnetic field lines in the center) so the center's magnetic field strength is 0.
I have learned about vectors in forces but I am not sure if that if the same?
 
JenL said:
I have learned about vectors in forces but I am not sure if that if the same?

the field lines are a way of picturing the forces

force is a vector, so it has a magnitude (a strength) and a direction

the force at a point can be represented by an arrow at that point: the direction of the arrow shows the direction of the force, and the length of the arrow shows the strength of the force (at that point)

so one way of picturing a force field is by drawing little arrows (nearly) all over it

however, that can be confusing (if you've ever seen one, you'll know why)

so instead we join some of the arrows together, making very long (and curved) arrows … these are the field lines

the direction (the tangent) of the field line at any point shows the direction of the force at that point, and the magnitude is shown by how close together the lines are (because we lost the information of the length of the little arrows when we joined them up! :wink:)​

see also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_Lines
… is it because in the center there are no magnetic fields lines? (in the diagrams there are no magnetic field lines in the center) so the center's magnetic field strength is 0.

i think the best way of answering the question (about the strength of the magnetic field at the midpoint) is to remember that the strength is the strength of a vector, and every vector must have a direction (unless its strength is zero) …

so which direction would the vector point in? :smile: