Why can’t there be magnetic monopoles. I understand on a trivial level (lack of maths) it is forbidden by Maxwell’s laws, but can someone explain it?
Least Maths = most welcome! Thank you :)
Least Maths = most welcome! Thank you :)
2 Answers
One of Maxwell's equations states that there is no such thing as a magnetic charge which means magnetic monopoles don't exist.
Explanation:
Maxwell's equations are four differential equations which are difficult to understand. They come in pairs, one pair for electricity and the other for magnetism.
One electrical equation is:
This states that the electric flux emerging from a volume of space is equal to the charge density contained in the volume. To put it another way it says that an electric charge generates an electric field.
The corresponding equation for magnetism is:
The fact that the right hand side is zero means that magnetic charge is always zero.
A magnetic monopole would be the magnetic equivalent of an electric charge. As the equation states that magnetic charge is always zero it means that magnetic monopoles can't exist.
If magnetic monopoles are ever discovered then Maxwell's equations will need to be modified.
