THX-1138 Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 This one has bugged me for a while. Does magnetism actually involve 'lines of force,' along which so many beginner experiment descriptions have iron filings aligning? Or is it an actual non-discrete field effect like gravity? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Skeptic Posted October 5, 2009 Share Posted October 5, 2009 Like other force fields, the magnetic field is a vector field. It has a magnitude and direction. Unlike more familiar forces, the direction is not away/toward a source since there isn't a source/sink, rather only a dipole. The iron filings allow you to see a visual representation of it -- it forms closed loops, leaving north and entering south. However "lines" have nothing to do with the force. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THX-1138 Posted October 5, 2009 Author Share Posted October 5, 2009 'S what I thought. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr.syntax Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 (edited) Like other force fields, the magnetic field is a vector field. It has a magnitude and direction. Unlike more familiar forces, the direction is not away/toward a source since there isn't a source/sink, rather only a dipole. The iron filings allow you to see a visual representation of it -- it forms closed loops, leaving north and entering south. However "lines" have nothing to do with the force. REPLY: How is that the iron filings form these lines and yet have nothing to do with the force itself ? Do those filings in someway interact with the magnetic force field that compels them to form lines ? It seems they must, otherwise why would those lines form ? I think it`s time for a wiki search. Regards,...Dr.Syntax from : " Get a Straight Answer" at :http://www-istp.gsfc.nasa.gov/earthmag/magnQ&A2.htm#q21 I learned that : " near a magnet,each piece of iron filings becomes a temporary magnet ". Boy the internet really is an amazing research resource. ...Dr.Syntax Edited October 27, 2009 by dr.syntax addition Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Skeptic Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Iron is ferromagnetic, so it acts as a magnet when in a magnetic field. When these small magnets are placed in a magnetic field, the magnetic force forces them to align with the field. Then you have a bunch magnetized of iron filings with their north next to the south of the next one, so that they tend to stick together. I think iron also has a greater magnetic permeability than air, adding to the effect. However, they don't form along specific "magnetic field lines" because those don't really exist. In reality what you have is magnetic field strength and a direction, but this is harder to draw hence the lines. So long as you understand that the specific lines mean nothing more than a representation of strength and direction, you're fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr.syntax Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Iron is ferromagnetic, so it acts as a magnet when in a magnetic field. When these small magnets are placed in a magnetic field, the magnetic force forces them to align with the field. Then you have a bunch magnetized of iron filings with their north next to the south of the next one, so that they tend to stick together. I think iron also has a greater magnetic permeability than air, adding to the effect. However, they don't form along specific "magnetic field lines" because those don't really exist. In reality what you have is magnetic field strength and a direction, but this is harder to draw hence the lines. So long as you understand that the specific lines mean nothing more than a representation of strength and direction, you're fine. REPLY: I was pretty sure you knew the answer.You seem to know very much about most everything. You`re an amazing man Mr Skeptic. ...Dr.Syntax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iNow Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Geez.. Get a room you two. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr.syntax Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 REPLY, Now now, iNow, and I just gave you a positive rep point in another thread ,which I guess does not actually count because of my negative REP status. I believe I am the all time record holder with a one time, minus -88 REP points. Take Care Now,iNow, ...Dr.Syntax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Skeptic Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 REPLY: I was pretty sure you knew the answer.You seem to know very much about most everything. You`re an amazing man Mr Skeptic. ...Dr.Syntax Ha ha, and there is so much that I don't know, that it would take me several lifetimes and I still wouldn't learn it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dr.syntax Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Ha ha, and there is so much that I don't know, that it would take me several lifetimes and I still wouldn't learn it all. REPLY: I suppose the same could be said of anyone, especially with the ever expanding knowledge base. Except for those IMMORTAL AI ROBOTS due to appear most any time now. Your Friend, ...Dr.Syntax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerry Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 Professor Andrew Boothroyd of Oxford University’s Department of Physics has just published a paper on magnetic monopoles (where the ‘North’ and ‘South’ poles of magnets are separated):http://www.labnews.co.uk/laboratory_article.php/4888/2/2/researchers-begin-to-crack-magnetic-mystery-- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Klaynos Posted October 27, 2009 Share Posted October 27, 2009 We already have a thread on this, here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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