Magnetic Field

Claimed by Seongshik Kim Spring 2016

This page discusses the general properties and characteristics of magnetic fields

Magnetic Field

Unlike electric fields, magnetic fields are made by moving charges. Stationary charges do not exert magnetic fields. In equilibrium, there is no net motion of charges inside a metal. Therefore, it should be noted that electrons inside a metal must move continuously in order to create a magnetic field. This is the very basic definition of the current, a non-equilibrium system in which there is a constant flow of electrons. Measuring electron current can be understood as counting the amount of electrons that pass through a particular cross section of a conductor. However, since it is extremely hard to count these electrons, we measure the current using other indirect methods, one being measuring the magnetic field.

To measure the direction of the magnetic field in comparison to the electric current, the RHR (right-hand rule) is very useful as shown in the image below.

Notice that the direction of the magnetic field is always perpendicular to the direction of the current. This is a very easy rule of thumn to keep in minf when solving complicated problems.

Before proceeding further into the discussion, recall that we defined equilibrium above as there being no net motion of charges inside a metal. Keep in mind that equilibrium and being continuous are two totally different things.

A Mathematical Model

The magnetic field created by a single charged particle is given by the equation [math]\displaystyle{ \vec{B} =\frac{\mu_0}{4\pi} \frac{q(\vec{v} \times \hat{r})}{|\vec{r}|^2} }[/math], where [math]\displaystyle{ \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi} }[/math], where [math]\displaystyle{ \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi} }[/math] is a fundamental constant equal to [math]\displaystyle{ 1 \times 10^{-7} T }[/math], [math]\displaystyle{ q }[/math] is the charge of the particle, [math]\displaystyle{ \vec{v} }[/math] is the velocity of the particle, and [math]\displaystyle{ \vec{r} }[/math] is the vector that points from source to observation location. This equation is called the Biot-Savart Law for a single moving charge.

There is, however, another version of this Biot-Savart Law. This definition focuses more on the electron currents that was explained in the introductory paragraph. It is defined by [math]\displaystyle{ \vec{B} =\frac{\mu_0}{4\pi} \frac{I(\vec{l} \times \hat{r})}{|\vec{r}|^2} }[/math]. You may notice these equations are very similar in format. The constants and the vectors are still the same, but in this equation, </math>, [math]\displaystyle{ I }[/math] is the conventional electron current in an observed wire and [math]\displaystyle{ \vec{l} }[/math] is the length of the segment of the wire.

A Computational Model

The Biot-Savart Law defined above can be visualized if you click on the link below. The link sends you to a GlowScript page where you will be exposed to VPython code that animates both this law and its RHR applications. Simply click the "Run" botton at the top left of the frame to view.

<iframe src="https://trinket.io/embed/glowscript/7d28da9f50" width="100%" height="356" frameborder="0" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Characteristics of the Biot-Savart Law

Single Charged Moving Particle Version

Because the equation involves the cross product of velocity and the position vector, one can find out that there is no magnetic field in the direction of the movement of the charged particle, because the cross product of two vectors in the same direction is zero.

However, even in the absence of a magnetic field, an electric field may still be present.

By using a compass, one can calculate the magnitude of a current. The Earth exerts a magnitude that always points to the North. When a compass is near a current with a magnetic field, the needle would be deflected by the net magnetic field. Notice that although the magnetic field of the current is perpendicular to the direction of the movement of charges, the needle is not deflected 90 degrees because of the magnetic field of the Earth, which is usually larger than that of the current. Also, because the magnetic field is exerted in a circular pattern, the direction of the magnetic field above the source is exactly the opposite of the magnetic field under the source. As a result, depending on the location of the compass, the needle may deflect in the opposite direction but with the same magnitude.

Lastly, Because of the direction of the magnetic field is influenced by the charge of the source, charge, in this case, one must pay attention to the presence of Q in the equation above.

Electric Current Version

Connectedness

1. How is this topic connected to something that you are interested in?

This topic interests me most in the sense of using models to visualize complex ideas. The concept of a rotating magnetic field due to a moving particle in a wire is a very hard idea to grasp. Being able to depict this using VPython animation or graphical images with directional arrows is key to fully understanding such a phenomenon. In other words, something I have a keen interest in is enabling those who are not knowledgeable about a difficult subject to be able to grasp a solid interpretation of what is going on. So relating it to this topic, being able to visualize magnetic fields through the diagrams and code provided above is one step closer to enhancing my skills in translating difficult concepts.

2. How is it connected to your major?

As a Mechanical Engineer, I have to be able to visualize complicated situations, diagrams, and ideas. If I can't fully understand all the factors going on in a problem, then I won't be able to fulfill my ultimate purpose as an engineer: finding solutions to real-world problems. Thus, being able to communicate and display the complexities of a magnetic field, for example, is key to learning how to become a skillful ME.

3. Is there an interesting industrial application?

Yes! I actually currently have a co-op at Southwire Co. which is the leading copper producer in the world. I work in a plant where we extrude copper wire out and make your everyday cables for applications such as lamps, telephone lines, or wiring to your house. In the plant, there is a lot of machinery that can dangerously be affected if this copper product (major conductor of electric current and can produce large magnetic fields) if it is mishandled.