Question

Due to friction with Earth's atmosphere, a large static electric charge could build up on our plummeting asteroid fragment. Would you expect our fragment to generate a magnetic field? Explain why or why not.

Answer 1

the asteroid gaining a large static electric charge as one giant particle with a static electric charge. it is a rapidly moving charge through air, which satisfies the criteria of the asteroid being a moving charge.

in this case, it should be capable of producing a magnetic field, as it produces its own "current" by moving through the air. Magnetic fields are often defined as fields capable of moving electrically charged particles.

for example,, let's say through a copper wire, to achieve, but in this case we have a giant mass of charge moving quickly through air. The precise magnitude of the field will depend on the speed and charge of the asteroid, which will likely vary at any moment in time.