Institute of Geology
Discussion
Started 26 July 2024
Potential specific effects of magnets North/South poles? (or upward/downward)
Preparing a review about potential distinct effects of North and South poles (or upward/downward) in biology, chemistry, chirality, etc, I would appreciate any signaling of publications to supplement a databank dedicated to this overlooked parameter, whether confirming or invalidating.
Also, any comments, exchanges or collaboration will be welcome.
All replies (3)
Potential Specific Effects of Magnet Poles: North/South (or Upward/Downward)
The effects of a magnet's poles, typically referred to as the North and South poles, are fundamental to understanding magnetic fields and their interactions with various materials and environments. Here’s a comprehensive look at the potential specific effects of magnetic poles:
1. Magnetic Field Characteristics
- Field Lines: Magnetic field lines emerge from the North pole and enter the South pole. This creates a closed loop of magnetic influence around the magnet.
- Strength and Gradient: The magnetic field is strongest at the poles. The strength decreases with distance from the poles. The gradient of the field, or how quickly the strength changes, is also most significant near the poles.
2. Interaction with Materials
- Ferromagnetic Materials: Materials such as iron, nickel, and cobalt are strongly attracted to both poles. These materials can become temporarily magnetized when exposed to a magnetic field.
- Diamagnetic and Paramagnetic Materials: Diamagnetic materials (e.g., copper, gold) are weakly repelled by magnetic fields, while paramagnetic materials (e.g., aluminum, platinum) are weakly attracted. The effect is minimal and more noticeable with very strong magnets.
3. Biological Effects
- Magnetic Therapy: Some alternative medicine practices use magnets for supposed therapeutic benefits. While scientific evidence is limited and often inconclusive, it is believed that exposure to magnetic fields can affect ion transport and cell membrane permeability.
- Nerve Stimulation: Strong magnetic fields can induce electric currents in conductive tissues, potentially affecting nerve activity and muscle function. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a medical technique that uses magnetic fields to stimulate specific areas of the brain.
4. Electromagnetic Induction
- Faraday’s Law: Moving a conductor through a magnetic field induces an electric current. The orientation of the magnetic poles (North/South) and the direction of motion determine the direction of the induced current.
- Electric Motors and Generators: These devices rely on the interaction between magnetic fields and electric currents. The alignment and movement of the magnetic poles are crucial for their operation.
5. Geomagnetic Effects
- Earth’s Magnetic Field: The Earth itself acts as a giant magnet with a magnetic North and South pole. This geomagnetic field affects compass navigation, migratory patterns of animals, and the behavior of charged particles in the atmosphere.
- Auroras: The interaction of the Earth’s magnetic field with solar wind particles causes auroras, predominantly seen near the polar regions.
6. Technological Applications
- Magnetic Storage: Hard drives and other magnetic storage devices use the orientation of magnetic domains (aligned with North or South poles) to represent binary data.
- Maglev Trains: These trains use powerful magnets for levitation and propulsion. The specific orientation of the magnets (North/South poles) is crucial for maintaining stability and forward motion.
7. Quantum and Atomic Effects
- Magnetic Moment: At the atomic level, electrons have a magnetic moment that aligns with or against an external magnetic field, leading to phenomena such as Zeeman effect, where energy levels split in the presence of a magnetic field.
- Spintronics: An emerging field where the spin (intrinsic magnetic moment) of electrons is manipulated using magnetic fields for advanced electronic devices.
8. Environmental and Chemical Effects
- Chemical Reactions: Magnetic fields can influence reaction rates and mechanisms, particularly those involving paramagnetic species.
- Environmental Impact: The influence of magnetic fields on pollution particles and their movement is a subject of study, though practical applications are still being developed.
Conclusion
The specific effects of magnetic poles, North/South (or upward/downward), are diverse and span across multiple disciplines including physics, chemistry, biology, technology, and environmental science. The underlying principles of magnetic field interactions provide a foundation for many modern technologies and scientific explorations. Understanding these effects requires a multidisciplinary approach, integrating knowledge from various fields to fully grasp the potential and limitations of magnetic phenomena.
alphapole
Thank you for your answers but your replies don't really meet the topic whether there are distinct effects of what different research teams consider as:
- magnetic upward and downward fields (relative to gravity) effects,
- or only magnetic field direction (regardless of spatial orientation),
- or magnetic north and south polarities (by the way, note that many papers in English use reversed namings of the North and South poles of magnets!).
To help understand this discussion, here are examples of papers mentioning this side of the issue (whether positive or no effect):
- Life on Magnet: Long-Term Exposure of Moderate Static Magnetic Fields on the Lifespan and Healthspan of Mice
- Hematological parameters’ changes in mice subchronically exposed to static magnetic fields of different orientations
- Effect of pre-sowing treatment with permanent magnetic field on germination and growth of chilli
- Effects of Cholinergic Receptor Activation and Magnetic Fields on Motor Behavior in Ischemic Gerbils
- Magneto-mechanical stimulation modulates osteocyte fate via the ECM-integrin-CSK axis
- Homogeneous static magnetic field of different orientation induces biological changes in subacutely exposed mice
- Comparative effect of positive and negative static magnetic fields on heart rate and blood pressure in healthy adults
Thanks for your patience!
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