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Magnetic Field Intensity: Gas vs. Liquid
Name: Richenda
Status: student
Age: N/A
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
Is it possible for magnets to work just as strongly in
liquids (for example oil) as they do in the air? Can the strength
decrease (if there is one) be determined?
Replies:
Magnetic fields interact with matter similar as in electric fields. You can
have a material that 'blocks' the magnetic field or one that transmits it
readily. Air does not interact strongly with a magnetic field, so a magnet
'works' -- e.g. seems unimpeded -- in air. However, some materials interact
very strongly -- some metals like Iron for instance conducts magnetic fields
readily, or can add their own field. Other metals, like aluminum, do not
transmit the magnetic field readily. Some fluids -- like water -- do not
interact strongly, but others, like special 'ferrofluids', have components
in them that interact strongly with magnetic fields. Ferrofluids can even
turn solid-like in a magnetic field, but return to a liquid state when not
in a strong magnetic field. Typically, liquids by themselves (petroleum
distillate oils, vegetable oils, water, common solvents like ethanol or
acetone) generally do not interact strongly with magnetic fields. A magnet
immersed in them would still project a magnetic field, but given the density
of the fluids, things won't move around as quickly as they do in air.
Hope this helps,
Burr Zimmerman
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Update: June 2012
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