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Re: mag. force on wire?



OK, I have achieved (a local) equilibrium:
In a metallic (eg. Cu), current carrying conductor with applied
"transverse" B field, once (dynamic) equilibrium has been established, a
consistent model of the mechanism of the magnetic force IdLxB is:

1) The interior carriers experience zero transverse force, cuz QVxB is
canceled by the electrostatic Hall effect force.

2) The Hall effect has built up a surface layer of electrons along one
"edge" of the wire; these charges are still moving as part of the current;
the opposite wire edge exposes a layer of stationary, bare positive ions.

3) The above mentioned electron layer experiences two forces: QVxB
(outward) from the B field and a smaller, inward electrostatic force of
interaction with the positive lattice. The net force is outward.

4) The (stationary) lattice ions experience an electrostatic attraction to
the electron layer (satisfying N3) and are thereby "dragged" in the
transverse direction (the resulting motion of the wire).

There certainly are still glossed over details, Stan, but I hope this
gives you a working model to exercise.

Thanks to Maurice for the input!

Bob

Bob Sciamanda (W3NLV)
Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (em)
trebor@velocity.net
http://www.velocity.net/~trebor