Magnetism's Effects on Watches: Explained

  • Thread starter Rudra Roy
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Magnetism
In summary: A watch is affected by a magnet because as previously stated the magnetization of the parts will create additional forces on the gears and such which will result in inaccurate running.
  • #1
Rudra Roy
4
0
Can anyone explain to me why does a watch stop when it is brought near a magnet?I want to know how does the magnet affect the watch.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
The answer is depends on what "type" of watch. Digital/no moving parts? Mechanical?

In a mechanical watch, you are influencing the interaction of the ferrous mechanical parts. Some could become magnetized, permenantly affecting the watch's performance.
 
  • #3
I have tried out with three types of watches.One of them is the spring-run watch of the olden days.Another one is the modern wrist watch, run on battery.And the 3rd one is also a modern wrist watch working on battery but the hands of the watch and the dial are made of plastic(none is digital).The magnet has no effect on the spring-run watch but it strongly effects the other two watches.So, we can see that a magnetic field affects the 2nd and 3rd watches.We know that the Earth has a magnetic field..So my question is that why Earth's magnetic field does not affect the parts of the watches, when it can affect a magnetic needle(since the parts of a watch are very small, I have compared their strength with that of a needle)?
 
  • #4
I would be highly suspicious of a quartz watch being affected by a magnet. They do not have any mechanical motion outside of any physical hands and such. The timing mechanism, the quartz crystal, is fairly resistant to magnetic fields from what I know. A mechanical watch is affected because as previously stated the magnetization of the parts will create additional forces on the gears and such which will result in inaccurate running. A watch has to be very very precise to keep decent precision throughout the day, some mechanical watches easily run at around 20,000 beats per hour. That's 480,000 beats a day. If the watch gains say 4 seconds a day, then that means that each beat is only off on something of the order of a millionth of a beat. So even small imbalances can add up over time.

However, fortunately, any decent mechanical watch will have magnetic shielding in the form of a thick iron plate that sits behind the watch mechanism (though this is not there for watches with skeleton backs so that you can observe the mechanism). This help keep the watch from being affected by a magnetic field. If a watch does become magnetized, I have heard that the affects are rather pronounced, something on the order of minutes for each hour. A watchmaker can demagnetize the watch and correct the problem.
 
  • #5
U are saying that the quartz watch should not be affected by a magnet.But then how does the magnet affect the watch?I have tested it several times.U can also test it.
 

1. How does magnetism affect watches?

Magnetism can disrupt the delicate balance of a watch's internal components, causing it to run too fast or too slow. This is because the magnetic field can interfere with the movement of the watch's balance wheel, which is responsible for keeping accurate time.

2. What are some signs that my watch has been affected by magnetism?

If your watch is running too fast or too slow, or if it stops completely, it could be a sign that it has been affected by magnetism. Another indicator is if the seconds hand jumps or skips several seconds at a time. Some watches also have a built-in feature that alerts you when it has been exposed to a magnetic field.

3. How can I protect my watch from magnetism?

You can protect your watch by avoiding exposure to strong magnetic fields, such as those found in speakers, laptops, and cell phones. Additionally, you can look for watches with anti-magnetic features, such as a soft iron inner case that helps to shield the movement from magnetic fields.

4. What should I do if my watch has been affected by magnetism?

If you suspect your watch has been affected by magnetism, it is best to take it to a professional watchmaker for demagnetization. They have the proper tools and techniques to safely remove any magnetism from your watch's movement. Avoid using DIY methods, such as placing your watch near a magnet, as this can actually cause more damage.

5. Can magnetism permanently damage my watch?

In most cases, magnetism will not cause permanent damage to your watch, but it can affect its accuracy until it is demagnetized. However, if the watch is exposed to extremely strong magnetic fields, it could potentially damage the movement beyond repair. This is why it is important to avoid exposing your watch to magnets as much as possible.

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
28
Views
1K
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
5
Views
200
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
7
Views
888
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
2
Views
850
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
7
Views
401
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
14
Views
1K
Replies
5
Views
682
Replies
3
Views
1K
Back
Top