Does Larmor precession change the force exerted on a magnetic dipole?

In summary, Larmor precession does not change the force exerted on a magnetic dipole in a uniform magnetic field. The precession describes the motion of the dipole's magnetic moment around the direction of the magnetic field due to torque, but the magnitude of the force remains constant. The force experienced by the dipole is determined by the gradient of the magnetic field, and Larmor precession affects the orientation rather than the force itself.
  • #1
okaythanksbud
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TL;DR Summary
The torque on a spinning charge seems like it would change the magnetic moment to be more aligned with the B field but is this actually the case?
If we have a spinning spherical charge in a nonuniform magnet field that points in one direction (for simplicity lets say B=<0,0,k*z>). Since the magnetic field is nonuniform, there will be a force exerted on the dipole, F=(mu•∇)B=mu_z*k. So in this case we expect it to be constant. This is dependent on the assumption that mu•B stays constant
However, we are neglecting torque. Upon first glance wed expect the torque to push the charge to align the dipole moment with the magnetic field. However, the torque points perpendicular to the magnetic field and the dipole moment, so it seems like the angular momentum in the direction of the B field (and hence the magnetic moment) would stay constant, while the angular momentum perpendicular to mu and B would change. So just like this image indicates, I'd expect the motion due to torque to not affect mu_z, which would keep F=(mu•∇)B constant.
1693943069511.png


Even though its the unintuitive answer, I'm lead to believe that mu*B, and hence the force of the dipole in the B field would stay constant. Am I correct in this?
 
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  • #2
Your ##\vec{B}##-field can't exist in Nature, because according Gauss's Law for the magnetic field you have ##\vec{\nabla} \cdot \vec{B}=0##.

For complete equations of motion you must have also an equation for the magnetic moment, which is an additional degree of freedom, related to "spin". Here's a paper, dealing with the formalism (in relativistic form) and applying it to the motion in external plane-wave em. fields:

https://arxiv.org/abs/2103.02594
https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevA.103.052218
 
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FAQ: Does Larmor precession change the force exerted on a magnetic dipole?

What is Larmor precession?

Larmor precession is the precession of the magnetic moments of electrons, atomic nuclei, and atoms in a magnetic field. It occurs when a magnetic dipole moment experiences a torque in a magnetic field, causing it to precess around the direction of the magnetic field at a specific frequency called the Larmor frequency.

How does Larmor precession affect a magnetic dipole in a uniform magnetic field?

In a uniform magnetic field, Larmor precession causes the magnetic dipole moment to precess around the direction of the magnetic field. However, this precession does not change the magnitude of the force exerted on the magnetic dipole by the uniform magnetic field, as the force depends only on the field's gradient and the dipole's moment.

Does Larmor precession change the force exerted on a magnetic dipole in a non-uniform magnetic field?

In a non-uniform magnetic field, the force on a magnetic dipole depends on both the gradient of the magnetic field and the orientation of the dipole moment. While Larmor precession changes the orientation of the magnetic dipole moment over time, it does not directly change the magnitude of the force. However, the time-averaged force can be affected due to the changing orientation of the dipole moment.

What is the relationship between Larmor frequency and the magnetic field strength?

The Larmor frequency is directly proportional to the strength of the magnetic field. It is given by the equation ω = γB, where ω is the Larmor frequency, γ is the gyromagnetic ratio, and B is the magnetic field strength. Thus, as the magnetic field strength increases, the Larmor frequency also increases.

Can Larmor precession be observed in all magnetic dipoles?

Larmor precession can be observed in all magnetic dipoles, including electrons, protons, and atomic nuclei, provided they are in a magnetic field. The specific characteristics of the precession, such as the frequency, depend on the properties of the dipole, including its gyromagnetic ratio and the strength of the magnetic field it is subjected to.

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