A moving electric charge underlies many phenomena occurring in nature. For example, many particles charged with high energy constantly “bombard” our Earth.
Between the Earth and the Universe
Most of them originate outside the solar system in the form of protons, and about 14% - in the form of particles. Most likely, charges are formed within the galaxy and therefore are called galactic rays. We also know well the sun's rays, which are made up of protons. A particularly strong effect occurs when unrest occurs on the surface of the Sun.
Approaching the Earth, charges enter its magnetic field. If a moving electric charge has little energy, the particle deflects and does not reach the Earth. But particles charged with high energy are able to reach the surface. Moreover, they seem to be wound onto magnetic lines of force.
Near the Earth there are areas where a particularly large number of charged particles accumulate. They are called radiation belts and are a kind of "trap" where the charges are captured by the field.
The geomagnetic field holds the majority of electrons and protons due to the fact that in the atmosphere they collide with the atomic nuclei of atmospheric gases. Nuclear reactions occur and neutrons that have no charges are emitted. Therefore, the magnetic field does not act on them.
Neutrons pass into a zone of lower tension, and then decay into electrons, protons and neutrinos, which (with the exception of neutrinos) are again captured by a magnetic field. In the end, radiation belts form. The neutrino flies away, since it does not have a moving electric charge.
Natural phenomena
Everyone heard, and some saw such a natural phenomenon as the aurora. Most often it can be observed in the high latitudes of the north. Less commonly, it appears to the south. Light is generated here due to solar protons penetrating the magnetic field.
The atmosphere at the height of their accumulation is very rarefied. But here there is oxygen and nitrogen, colliding with which a glow is obtained. These phenomena occur continuously, but are far from always noticeable to human vision. However, when unrest occurs on the Sun, the increased number of protons will allow people to observe an extremely beautiful sight in the sky.
Another well-known natural phenomenon containing a moving electric charge is lightning. Huge electric discharges in the form of sparks occur in them. Lightning occurs between clouds in the atmosphere or between clouds and the earth. Their length sometimes reaches several kilometers, while the diameter is only a few tens of centimeters, and the duration does not even reach a second. Lightning almost always appears with thunder. Most often they have a linear shape, but sometimes they come in the form of balls. The latter are especially surrounded by mystical stories.
Current
A moving electric charge is called an electric current, which is of interest to the practical life of people. With it, electric motors, television, radio, computers and many other devices work. Whatever area of human activity is affected, everywhere there are effects caused by electric charges.
The occurrence of the current and its relationship with the magnetic and electric fields are associated with the name of Faraday, who formulated a theory that proclaims that electric charges do not act directly on each other. Each of them creates an electric field around itself. With the help of it, interaction takes place.
Electric field of a moving charge
The main quantity acting in an electric field is the force that is applied to a positive charge. It is called electric field strength.
For convenience, any field in space is depicted in the form of lines of force, the tangents of which show its direction. They can be seen in any viscous liquid if mixed with an elongated dielectric. Near the body with a charge, the dielectric pieces line up along the lines of force.
The electric field may be potential. In it, the work of forces does not depend on the shape of the path when the charge moves to different points. Thus, the position in this field of two points determines the work of the charge between them (which is the voltage).
Some more interesting properties
An electric current can appear only in the presence of an electric field. All substances, depending on their ability to maintain current within themselves, are conductors and insulators. The former have many free charges, so they are easy to move. Insulators do not have them.
In magnetic fields, unlike electric fields, lines of force have neither beginning nor end. For example, in a straight conductor they are a circle.
In addition, it is interesting that an electric charge in a stationary state has no effects in a magnetic field. It arises only with a moving charge.