Really stupid science question. I understand the very basics of lasers and read about someone doing the same principle with sound waves and made a device that emits sound, but you can only hear it when it is pointing straight at you. I thought this was interesting and wondered if an electromagnet could be made to work this way. I understand that magnetic fields are usually circular, but could they be focused into more of a linear beam. I'm not sure what the practical use would be, but it would be interesting to see if you could attract a small object from say a foot away by just pointing a focused electromagnet at it. I'm just curious. Thanks.
2006-10-09 04:13:22 · 6 answers · asked by bernie_bernoulli 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
The magnetic field lines are always closed curves. It is possible for them to be very elongated ellipses, but they will not 'focus' in the way that light or electric fields do.
2006-10-09 04:42:50 · answer #1 · answered by mathematician 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Interesting question. Of course, like any form of light, the laser beam itself is composed of perpendicular electric and magnetic fields. So a laser DOES beam a very focused magnetic field.
2006-10-09 11:43:26 · answer #2 · answered by Jack D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is an interesting question, and an idea that I have not heard before. Perhaps you should go into theoretical physics and find the answer, as it is definitely a very cleaver question.
As for applications, if you could make it practical to do what you described, it could probably be used for propulsion of vehicles, including spacecraft, as well as applications in manipulating gravitational fields for high speed turns.
2006-10-09 11:24:39 · answer #3 · answered by Clown Knows 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm no science expert, but I don't think it's possible to direct a magnetic field in a certain direction. If it was possible, then I'm sure the military would have all sorts of nonlethal magnetic weapons to overturn enemy tanks or pull guns out of soldiers hands or something. Interesting idea though!
2006-10-09 11:24:45 · answer #4 · answered by Byakuya 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i am also not too sure about it but if u increase the voltage of the coil of electromagnet
& heavely insulate the rounded side , then u will be able to achieve what u want.
2006-10-09 11:23:35 · answer #5 · answered by sanjay b 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Good question, I'm looking forward to what answers people come up with.
I expect it isn't possible otherwise it would have been done already.
2006-10-09 11:25:54 · answer #6 · answered by amania_r 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋