Lighting bulbs with magnetic fields

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the feasibility of lighting fluorescent bulbs using magnetic fields, referencing an article about a similar experiment. Participants speculate on the mechanics behind the phenomenon, questioning whether the alternating current in power lines generates sufficient electromagnetic fields to illuminate the bulbs. There is a debate about whether the effect is primarily due to magnetic fields or electric fields created by the gradient between power lines and the ground. Concerns are raised about the legality of conducting such experiments without permission from power companies. Overall, the conversation highlights curiosity about the intersection of electromagnetic theory and practical applications in lighting technology.
rohanprabhu
Messages
410
Reaction score
2
This guy seems to have done something like that: http://gizmodo.com/361390/1301-florescent-bulbs-lit-solely-by-magnetic-fields

Now.. what i was thinking is that.. how could he have done that? The power lines carry alternating current all right and it's a changing current, so it produces a changing magnetic field near the ends of a given lamp.. but will that be enough to create an emf across the tube that can give out so much light?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Apparently it is. I wonder if he got permission from the power company to do that "art"...
 
Even though it says magnetic fields, I think it's the E-field that actually doing it. The gradient from the power lines above to the ground below.
 

Thread 'Maxwell stress tensor'

This is from Griffiths' Electrodynamics, 3rd edition, page 352. I am trying to calculate the divergence of the Maxwell stress tensor. The tensor is given as ##T_{ij} =\epsilon_0 (E_iE_j-\frac 1 2 \delta_{ij} E^2)+\frac 1 {\mu_0}(B_iB_j-\frac 1 2 \delta_{ij} B^2)##. To make things easier, I just want to focus on the part with the electrical field, i.e. I want to find the divergence of ##E_{ij}=E_iE_j-\frac 1 2 \delta_{ij}E^2##. In matrix form, this tensor should look like this...
View full post »
Thread 'Applying the Gauss (1835) formula for force between 2 parallel DC currents'

Thread 'Applying the Gauss (1835) formula for force between 2 parallel DC currents'

Please can anyone either:- (1) point me to a derivation of the perpendicular force (Fy) between two very long parallel wires carrying steady currents utilising the formula of Gauss for the force F along the line r between 2 charges? Or alternatively (2) point out where I have gone wrong in my method? I am having problems with calculating the direction and magnitude of the force as expected from modern (Biot-Savart-Maxwell-Lorentz) formula. Here is my method and results so far:- This...
View full post »

Similar threads

I Induced electric fields and induced magnetic fields confusion
Replies
9
Views
3K
I Charge movement relative to magnetic field frame dependence/invariance
Replies
5
Views
916
B Experiment issues (electromagnetism)
Replies
42
Views
2K
B Magnetic field and generator power output
Replies
5
Views
2K
I Hall effect -- is it always applicable?
Replies
7
Views
2K
I Resulting magnetic field due to the passage of an AC current
Replies
27
Views
2K
I Faraday induction in constant B field, with non-conduction wires
Replies
2
Views
1K
Magnetic Energy: How Does a Compass Needle Move?
Replies
8
Views
2K
I Is the Poynting Vector Field the Only Factor in Energy Flow in Circuits?
Replies
16
Views
3K
DIY Electromagnetic Induction Experiment
Replies
2
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top