Biot
Definition
Biot refers to Jean-Baptiste Biot, a French physicist who, along with Félix Savart, formulated the Biot-Savart Law. This law describes the magnetic field generated by an electric current in terms of its strength and direction.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
- The Biot-Savart Law states that the magnetic field $d\mathbf{B}$ at a point due to a small segment of current-carrying wire is proportional to the current $I$, the length element $d\mathbf{l}$, and inversely proportional to the square of the distance $r^2$ between the point and the wire segment.
- Mathematically, the Biot-Savart Law is given by $$d\mathbf{B} = \frac{\mu_0}{4\pi} \frac{I d\mathbf{l} \times \hat{r}}{r^2}$$ where $\mu_0$ is the permeability of free space.
- The Biot-Savart Law can be used to calculate the magnetic field produced by current distributions such as wires, loops, and coils.
- Jean-Baptiste Biot's work contributed significantly to our understanding of magnetism and electromagnetism in general.
- The law helps explain how magnetic fields are generated around conductors carrying electric currents.
Review Questions
- What does the Biot-Savart Law describe?
- Write down and explain the formula for the Biot-Savart Law.
- How does distance affect the magnetic field strength according to the Biot-Savart Law?
"Biot" appears in:
Related terms
Permeability of Free Space: $\mu_0$ represents how much resistance is encountered when forming a magnetic field in a vacuum, approximately equal to $4\pi \times 10^{-7}$ T·m/A.
Ampère's Circuital Law: A fundamental law stating that for any closed loop path, the sum of lengths times magnetic field in the direction of length element is proportional to total current enclosed.
Magnetic Flux: A measure of quantity of magnetism, considering strength and extent of a magnetic field. It’s given by $$\Phi_B = B \cdot A$$ where $B$ is magnetic field and $A$ is area perpendicular to it.
