Re: Why Do We use B for the Magnetic Field?

["Paul O. Johnson" <pojhome@SWBELL.NET>]

Bruce,

I reckon it's for the same reason that we use p for momentum or L for
angular momentum; i.e. it's completely arbitrary but also completely
conventional. Given most conventional symbols, why should you expect M for
magnetic field strength?

Paul O. Johnson
The Science Place
Dallas Texas

----- Original Message -----
From: "Oldaker, B. COL PHYSICS" <hb6805@EXMAIL.USMA.ARMY.MIL>
To: <PHYS-L@lists.nau.edu>
Sent: Sunday, April 29, 2001 5:46 PM
Subject: Why Do We use B for the Magnetic Field?


> Hello from a new subscriber.
>
> Why do we use "B" for the magnetic field?  One of my inquiring instructors
> wants to know and I can't find it in my weird files.
>
> Bruce Oldaker
> Department of Physics
> United State Military Academy
> West Point, NY 10996
> hb6805@usma.edu