Why does the earth behave like a giant magnet?

  • Thread starter Thread starter lwymarie
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Earth Magnet
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the reasons behind Earth's magnetic behavior, the phenomenon of the ozone layer above Antarctica, and the challenges in separating gases during fractional distillation of liquid air. The scope includes theoretical explanations, conceptual clarifications, and some experimental considerations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that the Earth's magnetic field is generated by rotating convection cells in the outer core, where molten iron may be ionized and produce electrical currents, leading to a complex magnetic field.
  • Others suggest that small changes in these convection cells could significantly affect the Earth's magnetic field, potentially leading to magnetic polarity flips.
  • One participant discusses the generation and decay of atmospheric ozone, attributing its presence to sunlight and chemical processes, particularly during periods of no sunlight at the poles.
  • Another participant corrects a previous statement about ozone generation, asserting that it is generated under UV light rather than IR light.
  • There is a mention of air movement in the stratosphere transporting CFCs toward the poles, which may contribute to ozone depletion during the arctic night.
  • A participant questions the feasibility of separating oxygen and argon in fractional distillation, indicating a misunderstanding of the boiling points and processes involved.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the mechanisms behind Earth's magnetism and ozone layer dynamics, with no consensus reached on the explanations provided. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the separation of gases in fractional distillation.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on specific definitions and assumptions about the processes involved in Earth's magnetism and ozone generation. The discussion includes unresolved aspects of the fractional distillation process.

lwymarie
Messages
89
Reaction score
1
i have posted these questions in the chemistry forum but I have not receive any replys. Perhaps I have posted the questions in a wrong forum.

why does the Earth behave like a giant magnet?

why the hole in the ozone layer is above Antarctica but not polluted continents?

in a fractional distillating column of liquid air, the 'exit' of oxygen gas (b.p. -183C) is below the argon gas (b.p. -186C). However, when the liquid air encounters the 'exit' of oxygen gas which is at -183C, the argon also boils. So we cannot separate the oxygen and argon.
What's wrong with my concept?

thx
 
Earth sciences news on Phys.org
The outer core[/url] of the Earth is thought to have big rotation convection cells, transmitting the generated heat from the inside out. That molten iron may be slightly ionized and consequently have a electrical charge.

Since rotating convection cells also rotate the electrical current each convection cell may generate a huge magnetic field. Since adjacent convention cells are supposed to counter rotate the respective magnetic fields are opposite in direction, cancelling each other almost, depending on small irregularities in those chaotic processes. The Earth magnetic field is supposed to be a resultant field of all those counter rotating convection cells.

Now it should also be clear that smal changes in the convection cells could have large effects for the Earth magnetic field, one field a little strong another a little weaker and the complete magnetic polarity may flip from North to South.

This is the geo-dynamo hypothesis.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Atmospheric ozone is constantly generated under IR light of the sun and it decays again due to all kind of chemical processes.

Now: No sun - No ozone. And this happens at the poles every once and a while, It's called the arctic night. It's that simple.

The last one seems to e not Earth related. Have no idea.
 
Andre said:
Atmospheric ozone is constantly generated under IR light

UV light, isn't it?

Now: No sun - No ozone. And this happens at the poles every once and a while, It's called the arctic night. It's that simple.

related causes: Air movement in the stratosphere transports CFCs toward the poles. The colder atmosphere above the poles better retains the CFCs so that higher concentrations are available to react with the sun's rays upon the end of the arctic night.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
9K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
7K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
5K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
24K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 42 ·
2
Replies
42
Views
12K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
4K
Replies
6
Views
5K