Electric Currents and Magnetic Fields

[Haro2319]

Hi

Everyone seems to know what magnetic fields are and that they are caused by electric currents, but i can't seem to find a good reason WHY they are caused by lectric currents.

Thanks, appreciated

 

[cabraham]

If we knew what "causes" magnetism, then the next question would be "what causes that?" In other words, if magnetism is a result of some particle, let's say a fictitious "delta particle", then one can ask "what gives this delta particle its characteristics?"

There will always be a smallest detectable wave/particle/energy that cannot be resolved into more fundamantal components due to limitations of measuring instruments. These small indivisible (at the present time) entities form the basis for scientific laws known as axioms.

That's all anyone can really say. Does this help?

 

[astrokreng]

Hi there,

Electric currents and magnetic fields are closely related and are both fundamental concepts in physics. An electric current is the movement of electric charges, while a magnetic field is a region of space where a magnetic force can be detected.

The reason why electric currents cause magnetic fields is due to the relationship between electricity and magnetism, known as electromagnetism. This was first discovered by physicist Hans Christian Oersted in 1820 when he observed that a compass needle would deflect when placed near a current-carrying wire.

To understand this relationship, we need to look at the behavior of charged particles. Electric charges, such as electrons, have an inherent property called spin, which is a type of angular momentum. When these charged particles move, their spin creates a magnetic dipole, which is a tiny magnetic field around the particle.

In an electric current, the charged particles are constantly moving in the same direction, creating a collective magnetic field that surrounds the current-carrying wire. This is why a compass needle will deflect when placed near a wire with an electric current - it is responding to the magnetic field created by the moving charges.

In summary, electric currents cause magnetic fields because the movement of charged particles creates a magnetic field around them. This phenomenon is a fundamental aspect of electromagnetism and has many practical applications in our daily lives.

I hope this helps to clarify why electric currents cause magnetic fields. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to ask. Keep exploring and learning about these fascinating concepts!