Discover Liquids that Light Up in a Magnetic Field | Non-Physicist's Guide

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the exploration of liquids or materials that emit light when they interact with a magnetic field. Participants are interested in both natural phenomena and practical setups for creating a magnetic field detector, with a focus on sensitivity and simplicity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about liquids that light up in a magnetic field or setups that achieve this effect, emphasizing the need for sensitivity.
  • Another participant suggests that a basic LED circuit with an inductor can light up when moved through regions of high magnetic flux density, noting that sensitivity depends on the inductor's quality.
  • A participant expresses interest in using the principle of induction to generate light without constructing an inductor, questioning whether any materials naturally exhibit this property.
  • Concerns are raised about the magnetic field generated by the current in an inductor and whether it can be avoided.
  • One idea mentioned involves using iron filings to visualize magnetic field lines, although it is deemed not ideal for sensitivity.
  • A participant proposes that a single piece of wire could serve as a 'natural' inductor but acknowledges that achieving high sensitivity may require more complex arrangements, such as wrapping copper wire around an iron cylinder.
  • It is noted that self-inductance is generally unavoidable but may be negligible in the context of detecting magnetic fields.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the existence of naturally luminescent liquids in magnetic fields, and multiple competing views on the best approach to create a magnetic field detector are presented.

Contextual Notes

Participants discuss the limitations of their proposed methods, including the dependence on the quality of materials and the challenges of achieving sensitivity without complex constructions.

tdevil
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i was wondering if anyone knew any liquids that light up when they cross a magnetic field... or any other setup where a light would light up when it crosses a magnetic field, the more sensitive the better.
 
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Are you looking for a magnetic field detector?
 
A basic, low power LED in a very simple series circuit with an inductor (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inductor) will light up when moved (in correct orientation) through regions of high magnetic flux density, sensitivity would depend on the quality of the inductor etc.
 
i want to use the principal of induction to generate light when it intersects a magnetic field but i was wondering whether there are any materials that do it naturally without the need of constructing a inductor as shown in the wiki page that was linked. also the current generated by that inductor would create a magnetic field of it's own right? is there any way to avoid that? and to answer the earlier question, yes i am trying to create a magnetic field detector.
 
One idea that springs to mind is iron filings forming field line patterns, but I don't think this is ideal.

I would say the most 'natural' inductor is just a single piece of wire, but you can't have your cake an eat it too.
If you want it to be sensitive, you may have to go beyond your definition of 'natural', though as far as I'm concerned wrapping some sturdy copper wire around an iron cylinder is far from complex. The iron isn't even necessary, it's the harder part to source.
Self inductance isn't really avoidable, it can also be considered negligible in this application, as it won't 'detect' its own field.
 

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