MadSci Network: Physics |
For a start, it all started with this question: There is a current carrying wire in space. A magnetic field is therefore created around it. However, right now, if we travel at the same speed of the electrons flowing, the electrons would therefore be stationary in my frame of reference. So how can the existence of a magnetic field be explained in my frame of reference? The answer for that would be that though the electrons appears to stop flowing, the protons in the wire will appear to flow backwards in my frame of reference, so the magnetic field can be justified. However, here's my question: what happens if there isn't any protons(like a flow that only has electrons and not protons)? in this case, won't it be strange from my frame of reference as i will be seeing a magnetic field without the charges flowing in my frame of reference. and to bring it further, what about a case where there isn't any electrons? would this cause me to see a magnetic field as the protons would appear to be flowing backwards even though it is not moving in the inital stationary frame of reference? thanks!
Re: Relativity in flowing charges.
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