Regarding the Earth's magnetic field

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Earth's magnetic field, specifically its effects on objects on Earth, its strength, and potential applications for harnessing its energy. Participants explore both theoretical and practical aspects, including navigation and historical technology related to television displays.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions why the Earth's magnetic field does not affect objects on Earth, suggesting distance or strength as possible factors.
  • Another participant points out that the magnetic field is relatively weak, limiting its practical applications beyond navigation with compasses.
  • A different participant asserts that the magnetic field significantly influences compass behavior by aligning the needle with magnetic north and south.
  • One contribution highlights the protective role of the magnetic field against extraterrestrial charged particles, suggesting its importance for life on Earth.
  • There is mention of evidence that some birds navigate using a magnetic sense, although details are not provided.
  • Participants discuss the effects of the magnetic field on older television sets, with one claiming that turning a TV on its side reveals effects of the magnetic field, while others challenge this assertion, citing the weakness of the Earth's magnetic field.
  • Another participant notes that the impact of the magnetic field on TVs depends on manufacturing tolerances and historical practices related to color tube adjustments.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effects of the Earth's magnetic field, particularly regarding its influence on televisions and the extent of its impact on navigation and protection from charged particles. The discussion remains unresolved with multiple competing perspectives.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about the magnetic field's effects on technology and navigation are based on varying assumptions and historical contexts, which may not be universally applicable to modern devices.

baryon
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Why doesn't the mag. field affect objects on Earth? Is it just too far away or not powerful enough or what? Also, is there any way to harness its energy other than moving a huge conductor though it? Wouldn't it have a frequency? Anyone know this?
 
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Have you never used a magnetic compass? The magnetic field is relatively weak, so it isn't useful for much beyond that.
 
I would say that the magnetic field does have quite an effect on compasses. It makes the needle point north and south.
 
Correct. And there are far larger effects as in protecting us from extraterrestial charged particles that would otherwise render us incabable of living. In addition, although it doesn't really matter to me, there is very stong evidence to support the theory that birds (particularly homing pigeons) navigate by means of a ferrous membrane just above their beaks that allows them to follow magnetic field lines. That's something that Moonbear would probably be able to tune you in on; I don't really know any of the details.
 
Take a tv (not lcd) and turn it on its side. what you see is the result of the magnetic field.
 
Dirty D said:
Take a tv (not lcd) and turn it on its side. what you see is the result of the magnetic field.
What? Are you saying if I turn my TV on its side, I will see some funny pattern?
 
That must be something with modern TV's, but I'm not going to bother trying it now. Back in the 70's, when I spent a good part of my time horizontally, I used to turn the TV on it's side so it would look right-side-up to me. The picture was still fine. What are you talking about?
 
Dirty D said:
Take a tv (not lcd) and turn it on its side. what you see is the result of the magnetic field.
Um, no. Have you ever actually tried this (just to make sure, I just did)? The Earth's magnetic field is orders of magnitude too weak to affect a tv.
 
Not necessarily.
Depends on how good the drive coil shadow mask registration for the pic tube in the color tv is.
Manufacturing has gotten better tolerances.
Generally it shows up as color tint changes in an object moving acrost the screen. Not image distortion.

In the 50's they had cancelation magnets in the cabinet that needed adjustment depending on the room location.
 

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