Magnetic Energy



"A fact is a simple statement that everyone believes.  It is innocent, unless found guilty.  A hypothesis is a novel suggestion that no one wants to believe.  It is guilty, until found effective"
Edward Teller
magenergyeqn1
Multiplying throughout by the current I gives
magenergyeqn2
This is now an energy conservation equation,

Rate of thermal heating (I2R)  +  Rate at which energy is stored in the inductance (LI dI/dt)  =  Rate at which energy is supplied  (εI)
  • The energy stored in the inductance is associated with the magnetic field of the inductance, UB.  Therefore,
magenergyeqn3
which upon integration gives
magenergyeqn4

equivalent to the electrical case of energy stored in a capacitor UE = q2/2C = (1/2)CV2.
  • Exactly as in the electric field case, we can determine a general expression for the energy density (uB) stored in a magnetic field,
magenergyeqn5

This girl said she recognized me from the vegetarian club, but I'd never met herbivore.

 
 

Dr. C. L. Davis
Physics Department
University of Louisville
email: c.l.davis@louisville.edu