Magnetic Field
In physics, a magnetic field is a field
that permeates space and which exerts a magnetic force on moving electric
charges and magnetic dipoles. Magnetic fields surround electric currents,
magnetic dipoles, and changing electric fields.
When placed in a magnetic field, magnetic
dipoles align their axes to be parallel with the magnetic field, as can be seen
when iron filings are in the presence of a magnet (see picture at right).
Magnetic fields also have their own energy and momentum, with an energy density
proportional to the square of the field intensity. The magnetic field is
typically measured in either teslas (SI units) or gauss (cgs units).
There are some notable specific
incarnations of the magnetic field. For the physics of magnetic materials, see
magnetism and magnet, and more specifically ferromagnetism, paramagnetism, and
diamagnetism. For constant magnetic fields, such as are generated by stationary
dipoles and steady currents, see magnetostatics. For magnetic fields created by
changing electric fields, see electromagnetism.
The electric field and the magnetic field
are closely interlinked due to Einstein's theory of special relativity (see
relativistic electromagnetism). Together, they make up the electromagnetic
field.
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