2006-11-16 10:33:05 · 6 answers · asked by chrissy15_maine 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Astronomy & Space
The earth's magnetism is a result of the fact that the core of the earth is liquid; as the earth spins around this liquid center, it creates polarity.
2006-11-16 10:40:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
I don't think that zahbudar and aviophage can be right.
Yes, the core is iron and nickel, and yes, those metals can become magnetised, but if you heat them above a certain temperature (called the Curie point) they will lose all their magnetism, and the Earth's core is way hotter than that.
The core is metal, so there could be electric current loops in it, which would create a magnetic field. When a metal MOVES in a magnetic field, it creates an electric current. So with a little current to start with, and movement of the liquid metal due to convection or tidal effects with the Earth's spin, the whole thing could build up into a huge electromagnet, and it wouldn't matter which liquid metal it was made from.
2006-11-17 08:10:06 · answer #2 · answered by bh8153 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The third answer above is correct. The other two answers are wrong. While it is true that the molten metals inside the earth do "swirl" very slowly, that is not the cause of the earth's magnetic field.
The earth's magnetic field exists because most of the core is made of metals that have magnetism as a property: iron and nickel being the main contributors. On a human time scale, the magnetic field is relatively stable, because the "swirling" of the molten core occurs very slowly on a human scale. The location of magnetic north may shift by one degree every thirty years or so.
But the motion of the core is not a cause of the magnetic nature of the core. No connection at all.
2006-11-16 20:24:06 · answer #3 · answered by aviophage 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hey Chrissy:
Nice to see you on Yahoo Answers...
The Earth's magnetism is caused by the massive content of of molten iron and nickle in the central core of the earth. Iron, as you know, is the major component in most magnets.
2006-11-16 18:56:15 · answer #4 · answered by zahbudar 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The core of the earth is made up of semi-melted metal. The metal moves around in a circle because of convection. Also the diffrent metals seperate by weight. All of this movement causes the field.
2006-11-16 18:41:25 · answer #5 · answered by dudetaz2003 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
How come nobody answers my quesions?!?!?
Where does magnetism come from?
-homework
2014-02-06 18:16:46 · answer #6 · answered by BingLing 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋