Can you turn a skyscraper into a magnet?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter Sir John Galt
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Magnet
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the feasibility of creating an electromagnetic field around a skyscraper by running current through its structural members. Participants explore the implications of such a field, particularly in relation to ionizing nitrogen in the air and producing tritium, as well as the effects of a controlled demolition on the magnetic field.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the possibility of generating an electromagnetic field around a skyscraper by using the interconnected structural members.
  • Another participant points out the need for separate power supplies for each floor and raises concerns about high resistance at the joints of the beams, suggesting that while it is conceptually possible, it may not be practical.
  • A participant elaborates on the conceptual nature of the question, linking it to the ionization of nitrogen and the potential production of tritium, questioning if a magnetic field could achieve this effect.
  • Another participant challenges the idea that ionization could lead to nuclear changes, expressing skepticism about the proposed mechanism involving a magnetic field.
  • Concerns are raised regarding the practicality of using a controlled demolition as a means to produce tritium, with a participant suggesting that it is not an effective method.
  • A later reply suggests that collecting tritium from the environment would be a more feasible approach than attempting to generate it through the proposed methods.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the feasibility and practicality of generating an electromagnetic field around a skyscraper and the methods proposed for producing tritium. There is no consensus on the effectiveness of the ideas presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants highlight limitations related to the practical implementation of the proposed electromagnetic field, including issues of resistance in structural joints and the complexities of ionization processes. The discussion remains speculative regarding the conversion of potential energy in a magnetic field during a demolition.

Sir John Galt
Messages
2
Reaction score
2
TL;DR
Assistance with conceptualizing stupid question greatly appreciated.....
Curious to know if possible to create an electromagnetic field around a skyscraper if you run sufficient current through the structural members (ie interconnected column and beam network).

Thanks in advance to any takers...
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: InkTide and Delta2
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF.

AC or DC ?
Either way, every floor will need to be driven with a separate supply, so the columns are equipotentials.

There will be big problems due to high resistance at the joints where the beams are joined. Either the beam was painted to protect it from the weather, or it is now rusty.

It is conceptually possible, but not practical. Why might you want to do that ?
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: russ_watters
Thanks Baluncore, and my apologies for delayed response.

It's primarily a conceptual question relating to magnetic fields and the effects of compression of this magnetic field.

Lets say I have a 150 ft skyscraper and am looking to apply a electromagnetic field that would ionize Nitrogen in the air, one of the byproducts being Tritium (for which the decay looks low energy). Normally cosmic radiation (low intensity high velocity) produces this substance in nature, but I'm curious if a lower frequency and high intensity would result in same (except more of it). Besides the possibility of creating this radioactive biproduct of the ionization, let's say the structure then undergoes a controlled demolition.

As the height of the building compresses, does the same occur with the magnetic fields frequency? Creating even more tritium? I wasn't sure if the potential energy of the field at a given height would be converted in that manner...
 
Sir John Galt said:
ionize Nitrogen in the air, one of the byproducts being Tritium
Wait, what? A chemical interaction (ionization) resulting in a nuclear change?!

But you're not doing that with a cosmic ray gamma. Or an electrostatic field. You're going to do it with a magnetic field?! Wow, that's one powerful magnetic field you've imagined.

I do not think that a controlled demolition is a problem that you need to worry about. An uncontrolled demolition is certain.
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: DaveC426913
Building an implosion bomb to demolish a skyscraper is not going to be an easy way to make tritium. We already have too many nuclear weapons on Earth today.
 
Reply
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: russ_watters and bob012345

Similar threads

High School Why Does My Toaster Hum Due to AC-Induced Magnetic Forces?
  • · Replies 22 ·
Replies
22
Views
2K
High School Magnet inside a solenoid with current
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Undergrad Can nested solenoids trap particles?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
540
High School Generator shaft rotation through spring and magnet (Is this feasible in Physics?)
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
High School Not sure about the magnetic flux (phi) depending on a cosine function
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
Undergrad Motional EMF in Faraday disc, co-rotating magnet axial mean flux
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
767
High School Basic Straight Line Permanent Magnet Accelerator
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
High School Magnetic field coil ferrous material for loudspeaker
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
5K
Undergrad What Materials Can Shield Electronics from a 3-Tesla MRI Magnetic Field?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
High School Magnetic field produced by an electric current
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K