I've heard some people carry magnets in their pockets because they say it provides a protective field around the body against radiation. Think there's any truth to that?
2006-11-01 10:52:06 · 3 answers · asked by Docta Jones 4 in Health ➔ Alternative Medicine
the earth protects itself from radation with a magentic field.
so why not?
2006-11-01 10:54:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe the answer would be yes, magnets can, in a way, shield from radiation- but as to whether it would be any help to a person carrying one about in their pocket is doubtful.
Magnets "shield" from radiation because it attracts the charged particles, twisting them into new paths. This is how the Earth's magnetic field helps us- it pushes charged particles and the solar wind around the Earth, instead of letting them collide.
You can actually see a similar effect if you hold a magnet up to a CRT monitor- the beams of electrons will get messed up, and the picture will warp and go off-color. However, I don't recommend it- I'm not sure what long-term effects it might have on the monitor!
However, I don't think that carrying a magnet around in your pocket would do much good. Not only would it not be strong enough, the magnetic field would be so small as to only cover a portion of your thigh.
While you probably could make a magnet that would shield your entire body, it seems impractical to me. It would need a backpack full of coils and a huge amount of energy.
Also, it's a MAGNET- you would be walking(or maybe staggering- weight is another consideration) death to any kind of hard drive or VCR tape within half a block, and if you walked by anything ferrous- manhole covers, cars, railroad tracks, ships, knives- the result could be quite unpleasant.
2006-11-01 19:21:05 · answer #2 · answered by Veregere 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
yes i heard about that its true
2006-11-01 18:55:44 · answer #3 · answered by jessica h 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋