How Does a Water Molecule React Between Opposing Magnetic Poles?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the behavior of a water molecule situated between opposing magnetic poles, exploring the effects of magnetic fields on the molecular structure and orientation of water. The conversation touches on misconceptions regarding magnetic fields and their properties.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question the terminology used to describe magnetic fields, suggesting that the terms "positive" and "negative" are more appropriate for electric charges rather than magnetic poles.
  • One participant clarifies that magnetic fields have north and south poles, and the concept of positive and negative is a misunderstanding from elementary education.
  • Another participant notes that water is a polar molecule, with a negative charge on the oxygen side and a positive charge on the hydrogen side, which may influence its orientation in a magnetic field.
  • It is proposed that in the presence of opposing magnetic poles, the water molecule would orient itself with the oxygen atom closer to the positive pole and the hydrogen atoms closer to the negative pole, potentially affecting its movement.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the terminology of magnetic fields, and while there is some agreement on the polar nature of water molecules, the overall effects of magnetic fields on the molecule remain a topic of exploration without a clear consensus.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the nature of magnetic fields and their interaction with polar molecules, as well as the implications of these interactions on molecular behavior.

v1p0r
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So let's say a water molecule is stuck between a positive magnetic field and a negative magnetic field ?
 
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what would happen to the molecule it self ?
 
v1p0r said:
So let's say a water molecule is stuck between a positive magnetic field and a negative magnetic field ?

Welcome to Physics Forums.

I find a lot of people pick up in elementary education that magnetic fields are positive or negative, and they don't shake the misconception in secondary education. Electric charges are viewed as negative or positive. Magnets are viewed as having a north pole and a south pole.

Allowing for that correction, I cannot tell what you are asking...
 
Fewmet said:
Welcome to Physics Forums.

I find a lot of people pick up in elementary education that magnetic fields are positive or negative, and they don't shake the misconception in secondary education. Electric charges are viewed as negative or positive. Magnets are viewed as having a north pole and a south pole.

Allowing for that correction, I cannot tell what you are asking...

what i meant by positive and negative are the 2 opposite poles :)... i was wondering if i used both .. what would happen to the object in between ? and what how does the molecule get affected
 
v1p0r said:
what i meant by positive and negative are the 2 opposite poles :)... i was wondering if i used both .. what would happen to the object in between ? and what how does the molecule get affected

OK.

One other correction: a field lines are described as flowing from a negative charge to a positive charge. Properly, the field is neither positive nor negative, but the charges are.

As maybe you know, water is a strongly polar molecule, which means it has a negative charge on one end of the molecule (the oxygen side) and a positive charge on the other "end" (where the hydrogen atoms are). (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Water-elpot-transparent-3D-balls.png" is one of many images of it on the web).

In the situation you describe, the molecule would orient itself such that the oxygen atom is closer to the positive charge and the hydrogen atoms are closer to the negative particle. The water molecule would also move toward one or the other.

Does that address your question?
 
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