The Static Magnetic Field

Abstract

After discussing the static electric field and steady currents, we are now ready to take another significant step in the study of electromagnetics; the study of the static magnetic field. But what exactly is a magnetic field? This question will be answered gradually, but, for a simple description, we may say it is a new type of force field in the same sense that the electric field is a force field. Take, for example, a magnet. It attracts or repels other magnets and generates a “magnetic field” around itself. The permanent magnet generates a static (time independent) magnetic field. A direct current can also generate a static magnetic field. How do we know that? As with many other aspects of electromagnetics, we know by experiment.

“There’s a South Pole,” said Christoper Robin, “and I expect there’s an East Pole and a West Pole, though people don’t like talking about them.”

Winnie-The-Pooh