Question #53f84

1 Answer
Aritra G.
Jun 9, 2017

Not really.

A current loop constitutes a magnetic dipole and it experiences zero force in a uniform magnetic field.

However, if the field is a function of position, i.e. it is not uniform, then there is a net force in the dipole in addition to the torque it experiences.

It is very similar to the case where an electric dipole experiences no net force in a uniform external field however, for a nonuniform field, it experiences a net force.

It may be shown that the net force #vec F# on a dipole of magnetic moment #vec m# by a non uniform magnetic field #vec B# is,

#vec F = (vec m*nabla)vec B#

And if #vec B# is constant vector this gives #vec F = 0# and thus the case of zero force for a uniform magnetic field arises as a special case.

If you look for some additional reference, then check -

Introduction to Electrodynamics - DJ Griffiths

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