Source of the magnetic field

The source of the magnetic field is created by magnetic energy.There are three sources for creating a magnetic field:

• Permanent magnet: the magnet atom has electrons that rotate around the nucleus creating a magnetic field.

• Current-carrying conductor: in this case there is a wire in which the current circulates, thus creating a magnetic field.

• Electromagnet:this source creates the magnetic field when the current flows through the wire.

Type of magnetic field

There are two types of magnetic fields:

• A static magnetic field = generates fixed electric charges in space. The static magnetic field uses direct current.

• A time-varying magnetic field = uses alternating current and is linked to time variations in the flow of a magnetic field.

The source of the magnetic field is obtained using the laws of the Biot-Savart law in the case that it is created by a current element. The Biot-Savart law establishes the connection between magnetic fields and the currents that create them. On the other hand, in the case of the presence of a solenoid, Ampere's law is used. Ampere's law allows us to know the magnetic fields thanks to the electric currents.

Electric fields vs. magnetic fields

When the electric charge is in motion, it creates two types of fields: the electric field and the magnetic field. Although these two fields have common characteristics such as the intensity decreases as you move away from the electric source; we could find several differences such as:

1. The electric field has a source which is the electric voltage, while the magnetic field is the electric current.


2. The intensity of an electric field is measured in volts per meter, while magnetic fields are measured in amperes.


3. In the case of electric fields, the electric source can be switched off and the electric field will continue to work, unlike magnetic fields, which would not be able to work without the magnetic source switched on.

From the point of view of the electromagnetic field, we can find:

1. Natural sources of electromagnetic fields: the electric ones that are created are due to Argar provision in areas that come from the atmosphere due to natural effects such as a storm.


2. Man-made sources of electromagnetic fields: these man-made sources are intended for applications such as X-rays.