Magnetic Scalar Potential
The scalar potential is another useful quantity in describing the magnetic field, especially for permanent magnets.
In a simply connected domain where there is no free current,
hence we can define magnetic scalar potential ψ as
Using the definition of H:
it follows that
Here ∇ • M acts as the source for magnetic field, much like ∇ • P as the source for electric field. So analogously to bound electric charge, the quantity
is called the bound magnetic charge.
If there is free current, one may subtract the contribution of free current per Biot-Savart law from total magnetic field and solve the remainder with the scalar potential method.
Read more about this topic: Magnetic Potential
Famous quotes containing the words magnetic and/or potential:
“We are in great haste to construct a magnetic telegraph from Maine to Texas; but Maine and Texas, it may be, have nothing important to communicate.”
—Henry David Thoreau (18171862)
“If the Russians have gone too far in subjecting the child and his peer group to conformity to a single set of values imposed by the adult society, perhaps we have reached the point of diminishing returns in allowing excessive autonomy and in failing to utilize the constructive potential of the peer group in developing social responsibility and consideration for others.”
—Urie Bronfenbrenner (b. 1917)