magnetic field lines in empty space surrounding a planet

[lovetoloveyou]

Can someone elaborate about how and what a magnetic field line exists that is found in the empty space that surrounds a planet? I'm not talking about the ionized particles that flow along these magnetic field lines but rather the lines themselves. For example, for Earth, is the magnetic iron core somehow emitting electromagnetic photons from one pole which traverse to the other pole? Do magnetic field lines somehow influence the spacetime surrounding a planet such as Earth?

[Sensei]

Magnetic field lines the best is to visualize with Compass Array device like this one:

 

 

 

It costed ~30 usd here.

 

There are 2D and 3D versions. In 3D version compasses can spin in either axis.

 

When you will be moving magnet above it, compasses will change direction instantly.

 

When you will place electromagnet above it, and turn it on or off, swap current direction, compasses will be adjusting their directions depending on current direction.

Edited June 5, 2016 by Sensei

[swansont]

Can someone elaborate about how and what a magnetic field line exists that is found in the empty space that surrounds a planet? I'm not talking about the ionized particles that flow along these magnetic field lines but rather the lines themselves. For example, for Earth, is the magnetic iron core somehow emitting electromagnetic photons from one pole which traverse to the other pole? Do magnetic field lines somehow influence the spacetime surrounding a planet such as Earth?

 

 

The field lines are not physical things. They're how we model what happens to magnetic materials placed somewhere.

[Enthalpy]

You may understand a static magnetic field in terms of virtual photons (which are then static) but this understanding is sterile. It's more an intellectual game to check that a static magnetic field can be described with photons like a propagating electromagnetic wave usefully is. While it's good to check the consistency and universality of the theory, such explanations bring nothing usable for a static magnetic field.

 

According to models that prevail presently, electric current loops in the conductive Earth core create the geomagnetic field. At the considered temperature, iron isn't ferromagnetic, so it's not a consequence of a permanent magnet, and the core being iron and nickel doesn't change much.

 

Void: yes, it's the nature of the electric and magnetic fields that they need no air, ropes, springs nor other matter between the objects that interact. Which is logical, because the electromagnetic forces operate between elementary particles, and since these particles are elementary, there is no matter between them. Or just photons if you wish.

 

What is the magnetic field? Nothing else than that. It's a fundamental force which isn't explained by an other model like sound is for instance, so we can compute it but not explain it. Well, yes, electromagnetism and the weak interaction have a more fundamental common theory, but it's pretty abstruse and provides no more concrete explanation than electromagnetism alone.