Creating Magnetic Field Using Electric Lighter and Notebook?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon observed when an electric lighter is used near a metal spiral notebook, which appears to cause glitches in a nearby laptop monitor. Participants explore the potential mechanisms behind this effect, including the generation of magnetic fields and electromagnetic interference.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant describes the observation of monitor glitches when an electric lighter arc is applied to the metal spirals of a notebook, questioning whether a magnetic field is being created and if it can affect the monitor from a distance.
  • Another participant suggests that the glitches may be due to the generation of mini-electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) that could potentially damage the laptop's power supply and motherboard.
  • A different viewpoint posits that the disturbance is not solely a magnetic field, but rather that the spiral notebook acts as an antenna, broadcasting radio frequency electromagnetic noise similar to early wireless communication experiments.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the nature of the disturbance, with some suggesting a magnetic field and others proposing electromagnetic interference. No consensus is reached regarding the exact cause of the observed effects.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not clarify the specific characteristics of the electric lighter or the notebook, nor do they provide detailed explanations of the electromagnetic principles involved. The discussion lacks resolution on the mechanisms at play.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring electromagnetic phenomena, the effects of electric devices on electronic equipment, and the principles of radio frequency interference.

Marcin H
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So my friend was playing around with an electric lighter like the one below and he put the arc through the metal spirals on his notebook. The hole from the spirals was pointed towards his monitor and whenever he touched the arc of the lighter to the metal notebook rings the laptop monitor would glitch and flash, kinda like turning off for a quick second. Point the spiral hole away stopped this. What is going on here? Is there a magnetic field being created through the coils of the notebook rings and being shot out towards the monitor messing with the components inside or something? The notebook was also like 1-2 feet away from the monitor. Can a magnetic field reach that far? Is this even a magnetic field? What happened?

zincok-wholesale-cross-double-font-b-electric-b-font-arc-5-5-3-5-1-2CM.jpg
 
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Marcin H said:
So my friend was playing around with an electric lighter like the one below and he put the arc through the metal spirals on his notebook. The hole from the spirals was pointed towards his monitor and whenever he touched the arc of the lighter to the metal notebook rings the laptop monitor would glitch and flash, kinda like turning off for a quick second. Point the spiral hole away stopped this. What is going on here? Is there a magnetic field being created through the coils of the notebook rings and being shot out towards the monitor messing with the components inside or something? The notebook was also like 1-2 feet away from the monitor. Can a magnetic field reach that far? Is this even a magnetic field? What happened?

zincok-wholesale-cross-double-font-b-electric-b-font-arc-5-5-3-5-1-2CM.jpg
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LOL. Keep it up and he could blow up his laptop. Yes, he is most likely generating mini-EMPs that are messing with the power supply in his laptop. That's a good way to cause an overvoltage that blows the motherboard.
 
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BTW, do not ask me how I know this... o0)
 
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berkeman said:
BTW, do not ask me how I know this... o0)
LOL
 
As described I don't believe the disturbance was a magnetic field, or rather not a magnetic field alone. I believe the spiral note book served as an antenna and you were broadcasting radio frequency EM noise. Hertz experiments were very similar, and early wireless communication was by similar spark gap generated broad band noise.
 
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