Why is the B field affected by distant stars in a rotating shell?

In summary, machs principle states that acceleration is relative to the distant stars, meaning the reference frame of equal rotation. If the distant stars are rotating at the same angular velocity as the uniformly charged spherical shell, there will be no magnetic field inside the shell. This may seem strange, but it's not about the stars themselves moving - it's about being in the reference frame of equal rotation. However, if the stars were to suddenly move relative to the shell, a magnetic field would appear in the frame. This raises the question of why acceleration can't just be absolute, but this is a complex topic that requires further investigation.
  • #1
cragar
2,552
3
Lets say I have a uniformly charged spherical shell. that is roating with an angular
velocity w. Now machs principle says that accleration is relative to the distant stars.
If the distant stars are rotatingng with the same w as the spherical shell, there will be no B field inside the shell. This seems strange. Why should the distant stars have anything to do with the B field of the rotating shell? And let's say the stars started moving relative to the shell why would this all of a sudden create a B field to appear in the frame.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
It's not about the 'stars themselves moving', it's about being in the reference frame of equal rotation. In that reference frame, it appears as if there is no magnetic field in the shell as your said. But its not the movement of the stars than cause that, it's the fact that they are in a reference frame where this appears to be the case.
 
  • #3
why can't accleration just be absolute
 
  • #4
  • #5
cragar said:
why can't accleration just be absolute

Good question, and it's a tricky one I don't trust myself to address.
 

Related to Why is the B field affected by distant stars in a rotating shell?

1. What is acceleration?

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity over time. It is a measure of how quickly an object's speed or direction is changing.

2. What are the units of acceleration?

The units of acceleration are typically meters per second squared (m/s^2) in the metric system and feet per second squared (ft/s^2) in the imperial system.

3. How is acceleration calculated?

Acceleration can be calculated by dividing the change in velocity by the change in time. The formula for acceleration is a = (vf - vi)/t, where a is acceleration, vf is final velocity, vi is initial velocity, and t is time.

4. What is the difference between positive and negative acceleration?

Positive acceleration means that an object is speeding up, while negative acceleration (also known as deceleration) means that an object is slowing down. Both positive and negative acceleration involve a change in velocity over time, but in opposite directions.

5. How does acceleration relate to Newton's laws of motion?

Acceleration is directly related to Newton's second law of motion, which states that the force applied to an object is equal to its mass multiplied by its acceleration (F = ma). This means that the greater the acceleration, the greater the force needed to produce it.

Similar threads

Replies
14
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
752
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • Special and General Relativity
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
923
Replies
67
Views
8K
Back
Top