Introduction of Magnetic Field

Description:

Magnetic field was discovered by Oersted in 1827, when he observed motion in the magnetic needle placed near a current carrying conductor.

To cause motion in a body, it needs to be acted upon by an external force, therefore he concluded that a current carrying conductor produces a field around it that does not affect a stationary charge but affects a magnetic material and this field is known as magnetic field.

Hence it is known that electric current creates a magnetic field, i.e., flow of charge creates a magnetic field.

Later it was found that charges move within a magnet i.e. magnet is a body of moving charge. Hence magnetic field only effects a moving charge and stationary charges are unaffected by it.

Note:

• Gravitational field is related to mass of objects.
• Electric field is related to stationary charges.
• Magnetic field is related to moving charges.