A Beginner's View of Our Electric Universe - New

Magnetism
I sidelined magnetic fields in the previous section to first describe electric fields and the current flow they
produce. I now return to magnetic fields to explain how they also bring about current flow.
When we have a conducting path in the form of a complete circuit, such as with either of the two revolving loops
of copper wire shown in the diagram here, then we have a route around which electrons can flow communally if
some force is applied to make them do that. There will be no flow of electrons in either loop to begin with, but
if we introduce the effect of a magnetic field that is moving ‘relatively’ to those loops, then the free electrons in
the copper will be influenced to all move in the same direction around the loops.
Example of how the relative direction of motion of magnetic field or
wire conductor gives direction to current flow in a wire © author
This means that any current flow initiated will have a
definite polarity (direction), one that is associated with the
direction of movement of the magnetic field responsible.
It is important to note here that all directions of motion are
linked. If we were to reverse the direction of the magnetic
field or the direction of movement of the wire, then the
current in the wire would flow in the opposite direction
to that which it did before. By changing one, not both, we
would have made the current flow first in one direction
then the other. This is the concept that was mentioned
previously in the description of AC power generation.
The important thing to keep in mind is that to induce current flow (make it happen), magnetic fields and
conductors need to move ‘in relation’ to one another. This is basically how AC power is generated in power
stations, but of course, through much more sophisticated and powerful equipment. For our purpose here, which
especially involves plasma as the conducting medium, we will be concentrating on situations where, through
their dynamic motion, magnetic fields will influence current to flow in one direction only (DC).
If we replace the idea of using a wire with a conducting plasma circuit within a large region of plasma in space,
the result would be just the same if we were to come along with a big enough magnetic field. Magnetic fields
in space are dynamic (ever-changing) and they are to be found all over the place (they are ubiquitous). They
are especially concentrated around bodies such as galaxies, stars, planets and in and around filaments and
concentrations of plasma. Any images this may bring to your mind, especially on a grand scale, will be helpful
for what is to come, so hold on to those images.
66 | Some basic theory that will help
Direction Electrons
Influenced to Flow
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