Magnets are no longer just for refrigerators, motors and generators. In fact, according to magnet enthusiasts, they can be used to improve blood circulation, cure and prevent diseases, increase automobile mileage, improve plant growth, soften water prevent tooth decay, speed up wine aging and even increase the strength of concrete. Some of these claims are backed by experimental evidence while most are not.
But what really are magnets? How do they work? Where do they come from? How do magnetic particles behave?
The chemistry of magnets
Chemically speaking, magnetic fields are produced by the motion of charged particles. When electrons flow along a wire, they will produce a magnetic field surrounding the wire. The magnetic fields generated by these moving electrons are now used in many homes, transportation and industries.
Wrapping many coils of wire around a central iron core produces an electromagnet. In an electromagnet, the magnetic field is only present when an electrical current is passed through the wire coils.
Meanwhile, permanent magnets do not need an applied electric current. Due to the mutual alignment of their very small magnetic fields, individual atoms in the magnet produce the magnetic field of the permanent magnet. These atomic level magnetic field results mostly from the spin and orbital movements of electrons.
Although many substances undergo alignment of the atomic level fields in response to an applied magnetic field, only ferromagnetic materials retain the atomic level alignment when the applied current is removed. Thus, all permanent magnets are composed of ferromagnetic materials. The most commonly used ferromagnetic elements are iron, cobalt and nickel.
The strength of a magnet, given by its magnetic flux density, is measured in units of gauss. Earth’s magnetic field is estimated to be at 0.3 to 0.6 gauss. Ordinary household refrigerator magnets have field strengths o f about 1000 gauss. Permanent magnets with flux densities in the 8000 gauss range are readily available in the market.
The many use of magnets?
It was mentioned in the beginning of the article that magnets are now claimed to have many uses. Let’s take a look at some of these claims and how they are explained by their respective proponents.
Magnetic water treatment or hydromagnetodynamics involves removing the hardness of water due to the presence of carbonates and sulfates of magnesium and calcium. Introducing permanent magnets inside o outside the incoming water pipe does the trick. Water is exposed to the magnetic field as it flows through the pipe between the magnets. Another method uses electrical currents flowing through coils wrapped around the water pipe to generate the magnetic field. Researches revealed contradicting evidences (both for and against) on the significant effects of these methods.
Magnetic fuel treatment devices installed on automobiles apply the same design and principle as in magnetic water treatment. Hydrocarbon fuel is pumped through a canister containing one or more permanent magnets or a magnetic device is clamped to the external surface of the fuel line. This treatment is said to increase an engine’s horsepower and mileage, reduce hazardous gas emissions and lengthen engine life. Researches have found no test data that support these claims.
Magnetic painting of walls and chalkboards uses a patented process involving fine iron particles with a unique grade. Wall paints and primers that result to a smooth finish have been in the market for some time.
Magnetic “magic” is not limited to mechanical industries. It even invaded the domain of bartenders and wine makers. Aging wines has become a fad among wine makers when they accidentally found out that wine flavor improves and aging accelerates when magnets are used as cork stoppers or coasters.
Wine magnetizers work by creating a flux path wherein electrically charged molecules move imperceptive along the path. This produces a bond and allows tannic molecules to lengthen as they would naturally do when the bottle is laid down in a cellar or a cave for four to ten years.
Tannins mask the fruit when they are big and aggressive. By smoothing or maturing the tannins, they move away from the fruit, allowing the fruit to open up. Finally, the rest of the molecules that came out of alignment move back into it and rebalance, allowing the bouquet to open up. The end product is a wine that is less acidic, fruitier and has a stronger aroma.
Last, but not the least, is the claim made by health and fashion groups that magnetite beads in jewelry have therapeutic effects. Magnetic therapy is touted to help ease a variety of ailments ranging from acne, allergies, backaches, high blood pressure and many more. Silane-coated magnetite particles have also been used in immunoassays, ribonucleic acid (RNA) separation and cell sorting applications.
There you are folks. Magnetic magic for those who are interested to further explore it or even try it out.
By Edna P. Azucena
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