Is it possible to move air using a magnetic field?

AI Thread Summary
Moving air using a magnetic field is theoretically possible, particularly through the principles of magnetohydrodynamics (MHD), which typically requires a conductive medium. While MHD is commonly associated with fluids like salt water or plasma, ionizing air can enable similar effects. This can be achieved using dielectric discharge plasma, which operates at near-room temperature and pressure. The discussion highlights that while traditional MHD may not apply directly to air, innovative methods like ionization can facilitate air movement. Overall, advancements in plasma technology could make air manipulation via magnetic fields feasible.
Sharky
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Is it possible to move air using a strong enough magnetic field? Let's say for something like a fan.

If so, what's the physics behind how that would work, and how would you quantify how strong the magnetic field would need to be?
 
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I thought MHD requires a conductive medium, such as salt water or plasma.

Are you saying MHD can be applied to air at normal temperatures and pressures?
 
If you ionize the air you can do it, for example using dielectric discharge plasma, which is a non-thermal plasma at nearly ordinary room temperature and pressure and is cheap and easy to produce.
 
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