Can Ferromagnetic Objects Be Decomposed Using Magnetism?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of ferromagnetic decomposition, specifically the idea of breaking apart ferromagnetic objects like iron using magnetic forces. Participants explore whether this has been considered or achieved before, the mechanisms involved, and the feasibility of such an approach without altering the state of the material.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes a theory of ferromagnetic decomposition, questioning if it is possible to break apart ferromagnetic objects using magnetism.
  • Another participant asks how this theory could be practically implemented and what makes it special compared to other forces.
  • There is a discussion about whether the concept of using magnetic forces to tear objects apart has been previously considered.
  • Some participants assert that electromagnetic forces are already involved in everyday actions of pulling objects apart, suggesting that the concept is not novel.
  • One participant mentions that while electromagnetic fields can affect materials, they express doubt about the efficiency of using electromagnets to tear apart a solid mass like iron.
  • Another participant clarifies that breaking intermolecular bonds typically results in heating the material, and suggests that cutting through solid materials would be more effectively done using mechanical tools.
  • There is mention of the need for a specially shaped and strong magnetic field to achieve the desired effect, framing it as an engineering challenge rather than a purely physical one.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility and novelty of using magnetism for ferromagnetic decomposition. While some acknowledge the role of electromagnetic forces in material manipulation, there is no consensus on whether the specific method proposed could be effectively realized or if it has been previously explored.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights uncertainties regarding the practical application of magnetic forces to achieve decomposition without heating, as well as the distinction between natural occurrences and engineered solutions.

JoshuaFarrell
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I have came up with a theory, it could be completely wrong or not but i had the idea of ferromagnetic decomposition and what i mean by this is breaking a ferromagnetic object apart (such as iron) using magnetism. Is this possible or not?
 
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Its your theory - how would you go about it?

Of course you can pull objects apart by applying a force to them.
What would be special about electromagnetism?
 
Yes but what i mean is has his been thought about before?
 
What? Forces tearing stuff apart ... yes of course it has.
Why would anyone imagine otherwise?
 
Yes that is obvious but i mean a magnetic force ripping objects apart
 
So... for ages people have thought about of forces ripping things apart and somehow did not think of magnetic forces doing this - only the other three?

I repeat: why would anyone imagine otherwise?
 
has it been done though, not imagined
 
You need to be more specific ... i.e. whenever you pull something apart in your hands, you are using electromagnetic forces to tear something apart.

Microwave ovens can turn solids into liquids and gasses using electromagnetism.

On a smaller scale, Electromagnetic fields are used to knock molecules apart all the time.

To tear apart, say, a 1kg lump of iron using just electromagnets ... I doubt it: there are just so many more energy efficient ways of doing it. That sort of thing would probably happen in nature - close to stars that have strong magnetic fields. I have seen a vid of a solid lump of iron getting liquidified in an alternating magnetic field - does that count?
 
Thank you all of that does help, but i mean overcoming the intermolecular bonds just using magnets. I do not want to liquify the metal i want it to split into two, or possible stretch it and the whole time i want it to be in a solid state. Anyway as well you said this may only happen in a star, what about nuclear fusion we can now do that.
 
  • #10
Breaking intermolecular bonds will heat up the material.

To cut something in half using electromagnetism, without significant heating, use a knife or a saw.
Using a configuration of magnets is possible, I don't know that it has ever been done on a macroscopic scale.
I don't think the theory is especially difficult.

Anyway as well you said this may only happen in a star,
No I didn't. I said it may only happen in Nature - near a star.

... what about nuclear fusion we can now do that.
... but that is not "in Nature" as in: occurring naturally, and it is not the stellar kind of fusion that relies on gravity to hold the atoms together to fuse.

You want a specially shaped, very strong, magnetic field.
That is an engineering problem - the physics is already known.
 

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