Magnetic Force Field

Magnetic Field

Magnetic Field: B

At every point in space surrounding a magnet, a moving charge, or a wire carrying current there is a force field called the magnetic field; denoted by the symbol B.
The magnetic field Bis a vector quantity in that it has both size and direction at every point in space.

Units: SI: T = Tesla = N/(A ^.m)

G = Gauss = 0.1 mT

Existence of the Magnetic Field
Moving Charges:
Imagine two charges passing by each other. Each charge experiences a "radial force" acting on it due the electric field surrounding the other charge. In addition, each charge also experiences an additional force that is at right angles to the electric force. It is the field associated with this additional force that we call the magnetic field.

Note that the direction of the force due to the magnetic field is perpendicular to the direction on the magnetic field while the direction of the electric force and the electric field are in the same direction for a positive charge.

Field Around a Magnetic:
If iron fillings are sprinkled around a bar magnetic they will line up with the magnetic field surrounding the magnet.

Typical Values of the Magnetic Field

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