How does a magnetic field affect the aggregation of nonpolar molecules in water?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the impact of magnetic fields on the aggregation of nonpolar molecules, specifically thin wax in water. It highlights the role of water's dipoles in facilitating the hydrophobic effect, which promotes the clustering of nonpolar substances due to entropy changes in water's structure. The conversation also touches on the distinction between magnetic and electric dipoles, emphasizing the need for further investigation into electrostrictive properties of water and their effects on surface tension at the water-wax interface.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of hydrophobic effects in biochemistry
  • Knowledge of magnetic and electric dipoles
  • Familiarity with van der Waals forces and their implications
  • Basic principles of electrostatics and surface tension
NEXT STEPS
  • Investigate the electrostrictive properties of water
  • Research the effects of magnetic fields on molecular aggregation
  • Explore the relationship between surface tension and nonpolar substances
  • Examine the role of entropy in molecular interactions
USEFUL FOR

Undergraduate students in biochemistry, researchers exploring molecular interactions, and physicists interested in the effects of magnetic fields on chemical systems.

Pyrophoric
I'm an undergrad biochemistry major at a state university in NY (I've tried the chemistry forums already) trying to understand more about interactions between polar and non-polar molecules. Say I have a thin wax in water, we are taught that the entropy of the reordering of water contributes more to the aggregation of nonpolar molecules than their own affinity for each other (hydrophobic effect) so basically the dipoles of water act as an external force that compresses nonpolar molecules together around clathrage or solvation cages (reordering of water molecules to fit nonpolar substance while increasing entropy) This has me thinking, most nonpolar molecules contain van der waals forces that are derived from polarizable electron clouds that fluctuate depending on their immediate environment. So let's say I apply a magnetic field to water so that all the dipoles are reinforced in the same direction, would I have to determine the charge vector on each atom and add them all up to find the net effect on the nonpolar molecule (thin wax)? Any direction or advice is appreciated.
 
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With regard to using a magnetic field, keep in mind that it affects the magnetic dipole which is different from the electric dipole you are referring to earlier. Assuming you meant to introduce an electrostatic field instead then I'd have to say...
...firstly that I don't know. Your description of the effective force on the small hydrophobic material would seem to me to be effectively the surface tension of the water at the water-wax boundary which is not lessened (relative to say water-air) since the wax is non-polar. My first line of investigation would be to see if water has any electrostrictive property in general and then if there is an electrostrictive effect on the surface tension.

This, by the way, sounds like an interesting line of physics research that could be carried out at a small university or undergraduate institution. Hmmm...
 

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