What drives the magnetic field of Earth and how does gravity play a role?

AI Thread Summary
The Earth's magnetic field is generated by a dynamo process involving the liquid outer core and solid inner core, with convection playing a critical role. If the entire planet, including its cores, were to freeze, the magnetic field would diminish significantly or cease to exist. Surface freezing, such as snow and ice, would not impact the magnetic field. The Earth's rotation contributes to magnetic field production, but its effect is minimal compared to the dynamo process. Gravity's role in this model is questioned, prompting further exploration of its influence on the magnetic field generation.
jontyjashan
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What would happen to the magnetic field of Earth if the planet suddenly freezes?
 
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Um...the planet is pretty solid already. What do you mean by "suddenly freezes".
 
jontyjashan said:
What would happen to the magnetic field of Earth if the planet suddenly freezes?

If the molten core were to become solid, I'd expect the magnetic field to be drastically smaller.
 
jontyjashan said:
What would happen to the magnetic field of Earth if the planet suddenly freezes?

Not to be rude, and I'm glad you have an interest in the field of physics and astronomy, but you've posted an awful lot of weird topics on the matter.

Are you a physics student?



The magnetic field is generated by a dynamo process in the core. Liquid outer core + solid inner core + convection = magnetic field.

If by freezes you mean everything including the cores of the Earth become solid, then we won't have a magnetic field.

If you mean freeze by on the surface (crust) freezing, with snow and ice and what have you. Then nothing would happen.
 
protonchain said:
Not to be rude, and I'm glad you have an interest in the field of physics and astronomy, but you've posted an awful lot of weird topics on the matter.

Are you a physics student?



The magnetic field is generated by a dynamo process in the core. Liquid outer core + solid inner core + convection = magnetic field.

If by freezes you mean everything including the cores of the Earth become solid, then we won't have a magnetic field.

If you mean freeze by on the surface (crust) freezing, with snow and ice and what have you. Then nothing would happen.

Wouldnt the Earth spinning on its axis create a very small magnetic field because it is spinning the large solid core? I know if you turn the solid metal within an electric engine it creates a magnetic field similar to the one that creates its spin with electircity. Or is the spin of the Earth to slow to do something of that nature? Also i know if the Earth itself stopped spinning we would have no definate north and south fields on our planet
 
d0wnl0w said:
Wouldnt the Earth spinning on its axis create a very small magnetic field because it is spinning the large solid core? I know if you turn the solid metal within an electric engine it creates a magnetic field similar to the one that creates its spin with electircity. Or is the spin of the Earth to slow to do something of that nature? Also i know if the Earth itself stopped spinning we would have no definate north and south fields on our planet

Indeed, the rotation of Earth also has it's fair share of duties for MF production
 
protonchain said:
The magnetic field is generated by a dynamo process in the core. Liquid outer core + solid inner core + convection = magnetic field.

In the above model I don't see any driving force. Process- yes, state of matter- yes . How does gravity effect your model? And if you separate it out, How and why do you do it?
 
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