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Iron filings produce lines because they they orient in the direction of the magnetic field and also turn into magnets themselves. Each with a north and south pole. Each north pole attracts the south pole of next filing, and so on. Like elephants grabbing the tail of the one in front. Each time you drop filings the "lines" will be in different places because the filings will fall in different places. The "lines" do not exist.
That is why iron fillings produce lines around a magnet.
Same reason.
That is why the solar prominences often follow magnetic lines.
Same reason.
Also why polar auroras follow the Earth's magnetic field lines.
You measured the field strength and found it only existing along the lines? Interesting.
My own experimentation has confirmed the existence of these magnetic streams as well, and their natural desire to form loops.
originally posted by: Phage
Iron filings produce lines because they they orient in the direction of the magnetic field and also turn into magnets themselves. Each with a north and south pole. Each north pole attracts the south pole of next filing, and so on. Like elephants grabbing the tail of the one in front.
originally posted by: Phage
Each time you drop filings the "lines" will be in different places because the filings will fall in different places. The "lines" do not exist.
originally posted by: Phage
There are no spaces between the magnetic forces in a magnetic field. There are no lines of force. There is a field of force. The filings show the shape of that field.
I thought I did. It's a matter of where they happen to fall. Chance. Drop them again and the lines will be in different locations.
You are explaining why the iron filings, and other particles, create chains. You are not explaining why the chains choose the path they have chosen.
No, they won't.
In most cases iron filings will find the same paths over and over again.
There are no streams. There is a magnetic field. Yes, it varies in strength. Smoothly, there are no defined lines.
The tiny magnets in the material of the refrigerator magnet will align themselves and form internal chains throughout the material, and those internal chains sum up to create strong streams of magnetic force.
originally posted by: Pilgrum
It's a long time since I bought a magnet of any sort but the old AlNiCo type permanent magnets used to be supplied with an 'armature' which is a ferromagnetic bar that 'short circuited' the magnet's poles IE maintained maximum flux density through the entire magnet which gave the magnet maximum life expectancy as well as reducing external effects in storage or transport.
originally posted by: Phage
I thought I did. It's a matter of where they happen to fall. Chance. Drop them again and the lines will be in different locations.
originally posted by: Phage
No, they won't.
originally posted by: Phage
There are no streams. There is a magnetic field. Yes, it varies in strength. Smoothly, there are no defined lines.
No that is not what I am saying. I said the strength of the field varies. I said it varies smoothly. It does not have discontinuities. If you measure the field strength across it you will not find no force, then force, then no force. You will not find lines.
Essentially you are claiming that all magnets have a completely uniform magnetic field. That is preposterous.
No. A field is a field. A gravity field is a field, no lines. An electrical field is a field, no lines. A magnetic field is a field, no lines.
That is all a magnetic field consists of. Streams.
I see. How did you happen to come by it?
Current mainstream science of magnetism available to the general public is lacking.
originally posted by: Phage
No that is not what I am saying. I said the strength of the field varies. I said it varies smoothly. It does not have discontinuities. If you measure the field strength across it you will not find no force, then force, then no force.
originally posted by: Phage
You will not find lines.
originally posted by: Phage
No. A field is a field. A gravity field is a field, no lines. An electrical field is a field, no lines. A magnetic field is a field, no lines.
originally posted by: Phage
I see. How did you happen to come by it?