Practice question · Sort into groups
Sort each consequence by why it holds: because the magnetic field has zero divergence, or because it is the electric field instead.
Groups: Follows from divergence of B being zero · True of the electric field instead
- Magnetic monopoles do not exist
- Total flux through any closed surface is zero
- Charge acts as a source from which lines begin
- A scalar potential can be defined
- Field lines always close on themselves
Hints
- Divergence measures sources, zero divergence means no source exists.
- A scalar potential needs zero CURL, which is the electric case, not the magnetic one.
Show the answer
Follows from divergence of B being zero: Magnetic monopoles do not exist, Field lines always close on themselves, Total flux through any closed surface is zero
True of the electric field instead: Charge acts as a source from which lines begin, A scalar potential can be defined
Why
Zero divergence rules out magnetic charge entirely, so lines close and the net flux always vanishes. Sources and a scalar potential belong to electrostatics, and it is precisely the lack of a scalar potential that forces the vector potential on us.
Practise Magnetostatics in Vacuum
The app has 4 more questions on this lesson, and keeps your place in the course. Physics II is free to start.
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