- #1
johann1301
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In a video on the youtube channel "Veritasium", it is explained that an electric field and a magnetic field is basically the same thing, it all just depends on which reference frame you are observing it from.
The video demonstrates that if a positive particle is traveling along side of a wire with the same speed of the electrons running trough the wire, the particle would experience a magnetic force viewed from the wires reference frame. But from the particles reference frame, it would be an electric force.
In the particles frame of reference, the protons are moving and because of length contraction, the wire would be positively charged. This i can understand/accept.
But what i can't understand is why there is no force on the particle even though its not moving:
When the particle is stationary relative to the wire, the electrons are moving relative to the particle. And therefore - with the same logic - the electrons would be contracted, and thus the wire would be negatively charged. (See 1:20 in the movie posted below)
Why is there a force on the particle when its moving, but not when its stationary to the wire? Why are not the electrons contracted when the particle is stationary to the wire?
Video:
The video demonstrates that if a positive particle is traveling along side of a wire with the same speed of the electrons running trough the wire, the particle would experience a magnetic force viewed from the wires reference frame. But from the particles reference frame, it would be an electric force.
In the particles frame of reference, the protons are moving and because of length contraction, the wire would be positively charged. This i can understand/accept.
But what i can't understand is why there is no force on the particle even though its not moving:
When the particle is stationary relative to the wire, the electrons are moving relative to the particle. And therefore - with the same logic - the electrons would be contracted, and thus the wire would be negatively charged. (See 1:20 in the movie posted below)
Why is there a force on the particle when its moving, but not when its stationary to the wire? Why are not the electrons contracted when the particle is stationary to the wire?
Video:
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