Does Orbiting a Charged Planet Create a Constant and Positive B Field?

In summary, if you are orbiting a charged planet, you would see a magnetic field and if you are also charged, it would exert an additional force. If the charge is distributed on the surface or throughout the volume, a rotating planet would also produce a magnetic field. If you are inside a spherical shell with charge on it, the electric field would be zero and so would the magnetic field if the charge is uniformly distributed.
  • #1
cragar
2,552
3
If I am orbiting a charged planet that is like being in free-fall around the planet.
So would I see a B field in my frame? Is me orbiting the planet the same as me floating in space and have the planet rotate.
 
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  • #2
You would see a magnetic field. If you are charged as well, it would give an additional force downwards/upwards (depending on the charges).
If the charge is distributed on the surface (or the whole volume), a rotating planet would give a magnetic field, too - it would look different, but its shape really depends on the system where the field is calculated.
 
  • #3
So would I see a B field in my frame? Is me orbiting the planet the same as me floating in space and have the planet rotate.

yes;no
 
  • #4
What if I was orbiting inside a spherical shell with charge on it, would I see a B field then?
The E field would be zero inside the charged shell.
 
  • #5
What if I was orbiting inside a spherical shell with charge on it, would I see a B field then?
The E field would be zero inside the charged shell.

as would the magnetic field...assuming the charge is uniformly distributed...
 
  • #6
B field inside a spinning charged sphere is constant and positive
 

FAQ: Does Orbiting a Charged Planet Create a Constant and Positive B Field?

How does a planet become charged?

A planet can become charged through various processes such as interactions with solar winds, collisions with other charged particles, and volcanic activity. These processes can cause the planet's surface or atmosphere to gain or lose electrons, resulting in a net charge.

How does a planet's charge affect its orbit?

The planet's charge can affect its orbit in several ways. If the planet is negatively charged, it will repel other negatively charged objects, causing them to move away. This can result in a wider orbit. On the other hand, a positively charged planet will attract negatively charged objects, causing them to move closer and potentially resulting in a smaller orbit.

Can a planet's charge change over time?

Yes, a planet's charge can change over time due to various factors such as solar activity, atmospheric changes, and interactions with other charged objects. The change in the planet's charge can also affect its orbit.

How does a charged planet affect its surrounding environment?

A charged planet can create an electric field around itself, which can interact with other charged particles in its surroundings. This can lead to the formation of auroras, radiation belts, and other phenomena. The charged environment can also affect the behavior of spacecraft and other objects orbiting the planet.

How do scientists study the orbit of a charged planet?

Scientists can study the orbit of a charged planet through various methods, such as using satellites and spacecraft to measure the planet's electric and magnetic fields, observing the effects of the planet's charge on its surroundings, and creating computer simulations to model the planet's orbit and its interactions with other charged objects.

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