Matter generating magnetic field

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between moving matter and the generation of magnetic fields, specifically referencing the gyroscopic experiments of Professor Laithwaite. Participants debate whether a spinning object, such as a gyroscope or disc of copper, can create a magnetic field due to the movement of electrons. The consensus is that while moving charge generates a magnetic field, moving neutral matter does not, as demonstrated by established principles of magnetism and the intrinsic properties of materials like iron and copper.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic electromagnetism principles
  • Familiarity with gyroscopic motion and its effects
  • Knowledge of electron behavior in conductive materials
  • Awareness of ferromagnetism and diamagnetism concepts
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of electromagnetism and how moving charges create magnetic fields
  • Explore gyroscopic motion and its applications in physics
  • Study the properties of ferromagnetic and diamagnetic materials
  • Investigate experimental setups for measuring magnetic fields generated by spinning conductive discs
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, engineering students, and anyone interested in the principles of magnetism and the behavior of electrons in moving matter.

Ruptor
Messages
18
Reaction score
0
A moving electron makes a magnetic field so moving matter that is full of electrons should make a magnetic field. Magnetars are a cosmic example but has a magnetic field ever been measured from a moving object on earth.
An experiment that springs to mind is the 200lb gyroscope that Professor Laithwaite, the inventor of the linear motor did, where he couldn't lift it but once it was set spinning he could raise it above his head with one hand.
Could this be that the spinning gyroscope generates a magnetic field like a magnetar and alters gravity.
Laithwaite always believed there was something going on with the gyroscope but was ridiculed by the narrow minded establishment like all geniuses.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Ruptor said:
Laithwaite always believed there was something going on with the gyroscope but was ridiculed by the narrow minded establishment like all geniuses.

Really? The "narrow minded establishment" ridicules all geniuses? Then they would have ridiculed Einstein, Feynman, Bohr, DeBroglie, Maxwell, Rutherford, and Plank just to name a few.

The fact is that Laithewaite made a huge blunder with his Royal Institution lecture. Here is an excellent site that explains the gyroscopic behaviors in Laithewaite's lecture.

http://www2.eng.cam.ac.uk/~hemh/gyroscopes/video6.html
 
Anybody have any idea whether moving matter creates a magnetic field? Perhaps the overall neutral charge means no charge is being moved so no field.
 
We've understood magnetic fields pretty well since the 1840s. Moving charge (current) creates a magnetic field. Moving neutral matter doesn't create a magnetic field.
 
It sounds right when you put it like that but iron doesn't have any charge and yet the structure of electrons in iron can be arranged to give a magnetic field. So if one spins a different element fast enough that has orbiting electrons they would be forced out or their orbits would be stretched slightly resulting in dipoles and then a magnetic field would exist from the periphery to the centre of rotation. It might be the case that the rotation speed would destroy the element before stretching occurred but in theory it should happen since the electrons are not attached. The best element to use would probably be copper or one that has readily freed electrons.
 
Ruptor said:
It sounds right when you put it like that but iron doesn't have any charge and yet the structure of electrons in iron can be arranged to give a magnetic field. So if one spins a different element fast enough that has orbiting electrons they would be forced out or their orbits would be stretched slightly resulting in dipoles and then a magnetic field would exist from the periphery to the centre of rotation. It might be the case that the rotation speed would destroy the element before stretching occurred but in theory it should happen since the electrons are not attached. The best element to use would probably be copper or one that has readily freed electrons.

If you think so, and since you seem to already understand the mechanism, then do the calculation and prove it. You really don't get to make a wild claim, then ask others to prove you wrong when you've done no work yourself.
 
Ruptor said:
It sounds right when you put it like that but iron doesn't have any charge and yet the structure of electrons in iron can be arranged to give a magnetic field.

The structure cannot just be "arranged" to do this. It is an intrinsic property of iron and a few other materials. Most materials cannot be made into a permanent magnet.

See here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferromagnetism#Origin_of_magnetism

So if one spins a different element fast enough that has orbiting electrons they would be forced out or their orbits would be stretched slightly resulting in dipoles and then a magnetic field would exist from the periphery to the centre of rotation. It might be the case that the rotation speed would destroy the element before stretching occurred but in theory it should happen since the electrons are not attached. The best element to use would probably be copper or one that has readily freed electrons.

Nope. The electrons will not be forced out of their orbits. They are bound to their nuclei or occupy the conduction band of the metal.
 
dipole said:
If you think so, and since you seem to already understand the mechanism, then do the calculation and prove it. You really don't get to make a wild claim, then ask others to prove you wrong when you've done no work yourself.
All I am doing is asking questions assuming that experts here will already know the answers and offering ideas if I don't get the explanations. Isn't that the point of forums so one can learn? If I don't get answers then I pursue it on my own.
Has there ever been an experiment that spins a disc of copper and measures for a magnetic field at the periphery?
 
Drakkith said:
Nope. The electrons will not be forced out of their orbits. They are bound to their nuclei or occupy the conduction band of the metal.
The electrons form a cloud around the nucleus and clouds are not fixed. The frog suspended in a magnetic field is a classic demonstration that dipoles can be created within atoms that are not ferromagnetic.
http://www.physics.org/facts/frog-really.asp
If there is an electron it can be moved by a magnetic field but I was asking if angular momentum could also distort or stretch the electron clouds not detach electrons.
 
  • #10
Ruptor said:
All I am doing is asking questions assuming that experts here will already know the answers and offering ideas if I don't get the explanations.

You have already been given answers by the others in this thread. They have told you that moving neutral matter does not generate magnetic fields, and gave you a reference to where you can learn more about magnetism. You then go on to argue with the people you are asking help from. That is not the behavior of someone who just wants answers.

Ruptor said:
The electrons form a cloud around the nucleus and clouds are not fixed.

No, the "cloud" is a probability cloud, meaning that there is a probability of finding an electron at a certain spot. This is not the same thing as literally making a cloud around the nucleus. Those electrons are still either bound or in the conduction band. Moving around the object isn't going to change that.

Ruptor said:
The frog suspended in a magnetic field is a classic demonstration that dipoles can be created within atoms that are not ferromagnetic.
http://www.physics.org/facts/frog-really.asp
If there is an electron it can be moved by a magnetic field but I was asking if angular momentum could also distort or stretch the electron clouds not detach electrons.

That demonstration shows the property of diamagnetism. It is an extremely weak effect caused by the interaction of an external magnetic field with the orbital magnetic dipole of the electron. It is not the creation of a new dipole in matter, but a modification of the orbital dipole already present.
 
  • #11
Thread closed temporarily for Moderation...
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
5K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
510