Does Earth Have a Magnetic Field and Why Is It Important?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the existence of Earth's magnetic field, its origins, and its significance. Participants explore theories related to the magnetic field, particularly focusing on the self-exciting dynamo theory, while also questioning the relationship between magnetic and gravitational fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the Earth's magnetic field is explained by the self-exciting dynamo theory, which involves motion within the molten core and the presence of iron.
  • Others express skepticism about the iron theory, arguing that it does not account for the gravitational field.
  • One participant notes that while the magnetic field is important, the gravitational field is what keeps us grounded on Earth.
  • A participant raises the question of the initial origin of the magnetic field, indicating that current theories may not fully explain it.
  • Another participant mentions that everything has a magnetic field, suggesting a broader perspective on the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the explanation for the Earth's magnetic field, with multiple competing views and questions remaining unresolved.

Contextual Notes

Some claims depend on assumptions about the nature of magnetic and gravitational fields, and there are unresolved questions regarding the initial origin of the magnetic field.

deda
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How come the Earth has magnetic field?
 
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I believe that current theories have to do with motion within the Earth's molton core.
 
May be it was found by the nature of the iron made Magnets
 
Originally posted by deda
How come the Earth has magnetic field?

The most widely accepted theory that explains this is called the self-exciting dynamo theory. It postulates that the Earth rotating in its' magnetic field induces a current within the core. The composition of the core has large amounts of iron in it. Because the iron is hot, being heated way above the curie temperature (which is about 760° C for iron) it can't be magnetized, but since a current flows, inevitably a magnetic field must coexist. I suppose this is the reason why the Earth's magnetic field is weak being about 0.5 gauss (0.00005 tesla).

I don't know, the theory doesn't seem to explain the initial origin of this magnetic field, rather just how it lives.

You can do a google search on the subject and probably find out more.
 


Originally posted by Quasaire
The most widely accepted theory that explains this is called the self-exciting dynamo theory. It postulates that the Earth rotating in its' magnetic field induces a current within the core. The composition of the core has large amounts of iron in it. Because the iron is hot, being heated way above the curie temperature (which is about 760° C for iron) it can't be magnetized, but since a current flows, inevitably a magnetic field must coexist. I suppose this is the reason why the Earth's magnetic field is weak being about 0.5 gauss (0.00005 tesla).

I don't know, the theory doesn't seem to explain the initial origin of this magnetic field, rather just how it lives.

You can do a google search on the subject and probably find out more.


Aha...only Iron theory can't be acceptable...because it doesn't explain gravitational field :frown:
 


Originally posted by Moni
Aha...only Iron theory can't be acceptable...because it doesn't explain gravitational field :frown:

Last I heard iron had mass.
 


Originally posted by Chemicalsuperfreak
Last I heard iron had mass.

Hu! But I wanted to tell that...why we are on Earth for it's magnetic field or gravitational field ?
 


Originally posted by Moni
Hu! But I wanted to tell that...why we are on Earth for it's magnetic field or gravitational field ?

You're asking why we don't float off? The gravitational field. If the magnetic field suddenly shut off we'd be fine except some people would get lost and maybe we'd have to worry more about getting cancer.
 


Originally posted by Chemicalsuperfreak
You're asking why we don't float off? The gravitational field. If the magnetic field suddenly shut off we'd be fine except some people would get lost and maybe we'd have to worry more about getting cancer.

Hah! You are right? But is there is quetion about Magnetic Field then we must know where the Gravitational field comes from ?
 
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