Electric Field Curvature

In summary, electric charges and magnets are sources of gravitational fields, which represent a curvature of space-time. This is based on the current best theory of gravitation, Albert Einstein's general theory of relativity. Additionally, electromagnetic fields themselves also carry energy and momentum, which means they also produce a gravitational field. This has been demonstrated in the Reissner-Nordstrom solution, which describes the gravitational field around a charged spherical body. However, due to the predicted weakness of this effect, it has not yet been directly tested by experiment. For further reading on this topic, "Space, Time, and Gravity" by Robert Wald is recommended.
  • #1
Hyperreality
202
0
Continuing my previous topic on the last Pf server.

If an electric field creat a space curvature due to attraction and repulsion of like/opposite electrical influenced particle, are there any theory that is able to determine the curvature?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Originally posted by Hyperreality
Continuing my previous topic on the last Pf server.

If an electric field creat a space curvature due to attraction and repulsion of like/opposite electrical influenced particle, are there any theory that is able to determine the curvature?

Here's what I dug up for you on this:

First, a word of background. According to the current best theory of gravitation, which is contained in Albert Einstein's famous general theory of relativity, a gravitational field represents a curvature of space-time, rather than a distortion of it. Anything that carries energy, momentum and stresses is a source of a gravitational field, that is, a curvature of space-time.
Electric charges and magnets are manifestations of certain types of matter, most particularly electrons. Since matter carries energy (via Einstein's famous relation that energy is mass times the speed of light squared), such objects will have a gravitational field and so they will distort space-time. So one way in which a charge or a magnet will distort space-time is by virtue of its matter. That answer may not sound too impressive, but there is more. . . .

You see, electromagnetic fields themselves carry energy (and momentum and stresses). The energy density carried by an electromagnetic field can be computed by adding the square of the electric field intensity to the square of the magnetic field intensity. As another example, a beam of light (produced from, say, a laser) consists of an electromagnetic field, and it will exert a force on charged particles. Thus the electromagnetic field carries momentum. Because an electromagnetic field contains energy, momentum, and so on, it will produce a gravitational field of its own. This gravitational field is in addition to that produced by the matter of the charge or magnet.

A simple example of the gravitational (or space-time curvature) effect of electric charges arises in the "Reissner-Nordstrom" solution to Einstein's gravitational field equations. This solution describes the gravitational field in the exterior of a spherical body with non-zero net electric charge. (The solution describing the special case in which the net electric charge is zero is the famous "Schwarzschild solution" to the gravitational field equations.) From the Reissner-Nordstrom solution, it is clear that the motion of test particles in the gravitational field of the spherically symmetric body depends on whether or not the body carries a charge. Just as the Schwarzschild solution can be extended to describe the famous phenomenon of a "black hole," the Reissner-Nordstrom solution can be extended to describe a "charged black hole." For an electrically charged black hole, the gravitational field of the hole includes a contribution due to the presence of an electric field.

I do not know (and I doubt) whether this aspect of gravitational theory (that electromagnetic fields produce gravitational fields) has been directly tested by experiment. The difficulty is that the gravitational field produced by a typical electromagnetic field you can produce in a laboratory is predicted to be very, very weak. A better place to look for gravitational effects due to electromagnetic fields would be in astrophysical objects carrying a significant net electric charge. Unfortunately, to my knowledge, such objects are expected to be hard to come by. So while the answer to the question is definitely "yes" according to theory, the experimental status of this effect appears to be somewhat open.

If you want to read more about some of these ideas, you might try Space, Time, and Gravity, by Robert Wald (University of Chicago Press, 1992). This book is aimed at non-specialists. For a more detailed mathematical treatment, you can consult any text on the general theory of relativity.
 
  • #3


Yes, there are theories that can determine the curvature of an electric field. One such theory is the Gauss's law which states that the electric flux through a closed surface is proportional to the enclosed charge. This law can be used to calculate the electric field at any point in space by considering the distribution of charges. Another theory is the Coulomb's law which describes the force between two point charges and can be used to calculate the electric field at a specific point. Additionally, the concept of electric potential can also be used to determine the curvature of an electric field. By calculating the potential at different points in space, one can visualize the shape and curvature of the electric field. Overall, there are various theories and mathematical equations that can be used to determine the curvature of an electric field.
 

What is electric field curvature?

Electric field curvature refers to the change in the direction or strength of an electric field at different points in space. It is a measure of how much the electric field lines are curved, and it can be caused by the presence of charges or changes in the medium through which the electric field passes.

How is electric field curvature measured?

Electric field curvature can be measured using mathematical equations and calculations, or it can be visualized through the use of electric field line diagrams. In experiments, it can also be measured using specialized equipment such as electric field sensors.

What factors affect electric field curvature?

The main factors that affect electric field curvature include the distribution and magnitude of charges, the distance between charges, and the properties of the medium through which the electric field passes. Changes in these factors can result in changes in the curvature of the electric field lines.

What is the relationship between electric field curvature and electric potential?

Electric field curvature and electric potential are closely related. In fact, electric potential is directly proportional to the gradient of electric field lines. This means that areas with high electric field curvature will also have high electric potential, and vice versa.

What are some real-world applications of understanding electric field curvature?

Understanding electric field curvature is crucial in many areas of science and technology. It is used in the design and optimization of electrical devices, such as capacitors and antennas. It is also important in understanding the behavior of lightning and in the study of plasma physics. Additionally, it plays a key role in the development of new technologies, such as plasma propulsion and particle accelerators.

Similar threads

Replies
3
Views
378
Replies
9
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
938
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
3
Views
752
Replies
73
Views
3K
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
14
Views
1K
Replies
14
Views
1K
Replies
11
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • Electromagnetism
3
Replies
100
Views
6K
Back
Top