Where does the Symbol B for Magnetic Flux Density Come From?

In summary, magnetic flux densities are measured in Weber, and the letter "B" comes from the German word "magnetischer Fussdruck" which means "magnetic pressure".
  • #1
thebigcheese
6
0
In physics we are learning about Magnetic fiex densities and have been taught that that the symbol for Magnetic flux density is B, however I cannot find where this letter comes from.

I know 'I' came about because they fought it was the 'intensity' of current and didnt know any different.

However if anyone can shed any light about where or what B stood for I would be very grateful.
 
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  • #2
That is an interesting question to research historically.
In Maxwell's treatise (1873), he used the German script B for
what he called "magnetic induction" and the German script H for what he called "magnetic force". I consider both terms archaic today.
He does not indicate why he uses B and H, but gives a reference
(with no details) to Sir William Thomson.
You would have to go back to before Maxwell to find out who and why chose B (or H). Try researching Faraday or Ampere.
 
  • #3
umm...hi

I'm currently a physics student in 11th grade. My teacher would give us extra credit if we find out why "B" is used for Magnetic Field strength. I've been looking for it for hours and I'm completely stumped. I'm beginning to believe there is no reason. Pretty cruel joke...
 
  • #4
Your teacher probably knows the answer. Please post it here when he tells you. You could try going to the library and looking through biographies of Faraday and Amper.
 
  • #5
Still no answer. Looking it up I have found another magnetic thingy is 'wb' prehaps they just dropped the w?
 
  • #6
"wb" (abbreviation for "weber") is the SI unit of magnetic flux, which nowadays has the symbol [itex]\Phi[/itex] or [itex]\Phi_B[/itex]. It's named after the German physicist Wilhelm Weber.
 
  • #7
thebigcheese said:
Still no answer. Looking it up I have found another magnetic thingy is 'wb' prehaps they just dropped the w?
The "Weber" was chosen as a unit 100 years after Maxwell used B for Magnetic field. You might try looking in a German or Latin dictionary.
 
  • #8
B (and H) may have been the first letters alphabetically that weren't in use when Maxwell was writing his equations. Just a guess.
 

FAQ: Where does the Symbol B for Magnetic Flux Density Come From?

Where did the symbol B for magnetic flux density originate?

The symbol B for magnetic flux density originated from the renowned physicist and mathematician, Carl Friedrich Gauss. He used the letter B as a shorthand for the term "Bogenmaß", which means "angle measure" in German. This symbol was later adopted by other scientists and became the standard notation for magnetic flux density.

How is the symbol B related to magnetic flux density?

The symbol B is used to represent magnetic flux density in equations and formulas, as it is directly related to the strength of the magnetic field. B is measured in units of Tesla (T) and is calculated by dividing the magnetic flux (Φ) by the cross-sectional area (A) perpendicular to the field, B = Φ/A.

Why was the letter B chosen to represent magnetic flux density?

The letter B was chosen by Gauss because of its connection to the term "Bogenmaß", which he used to represent magnetic flux density. Additionally, B is easy to write and distinguish from other symbols, making it a convenient choice for scientific notation.

Is the symbol B universally used for magnetic flux density?

While the symbol B is widely used for magnetic flux density, there are some variations depending on the field of study or geographical location. In some cases, the letter H may be used to represent magnetic field strength, which is closely related to B. However, B remains the most commonly used symbol for magnetic flux density in scientific literature.

Are there any other symbols used to represent magnetic flux density?

Yes, there are a few other symbols that have been used to represent magnetic flux density in the past. Some examples include F for magnetic flux, Bm for magnetic induction, and Bs for magnetic saturation. However, these symbols have not gained widespread usage and B remains the most commonly used symbol for magnetic flux density.

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