The Biot–Savart Law is a fundamental equation in electromagnetism that describes how a steady electric current produces a magnetic field in the space around it. It allows us to calculate the magnitude and direction of the magnetic field generated by a current-carrying conductor at any point in space.
According to the law, each small segment of current contributes to the magnetic field, and the total field is found by integrating over the entire length of the conductor. The strength of the magnetic field depends on:
- The amount of current flowing,
- The distance from the current element to the point of observation (inversely proportional to the square of the distance),
- The orientation of the current relative to the point of interest.
The Biot–Savart Law is essential for:
- Understanding the magnetic fields of wires, loops, and coils,
- Designing electromagnets and magnetic sensors,
- Explaining the magnetic behavior of electric circuits and inductors.
It is the magnetic equivalent of Coulomb’s Law for electric fields and is foundational in deriving Ampère’s Law and Maxwell’s equations. The Biot–Savart Law provides deep insight into the relationship between electric currents and magnetism.