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Why does the earth even have a magnetic field?

Why does the earth have a magnetic field if the core of iron is above the Curie temperature ?

  • I know that metals lose their magnetism above the curie temperature which is somewhere around 500C for iron, and that the Earth's metallic core is above this temperature. So I don't understand how there can be a powerful magnetic field surrounding the Earth!

  • Answer:

    It is not just pure iron - it is an alloy of iron and nickel. That alloy is in constant motion and, because of it's electrical properties, that emerged from the "friction" of two metals, act like a huge generator or dynamo machine. One of the aftermaths is the creation of Earth's magnetic field. Due to it's movement, and cosmic rays surrounding the Earth, magnetic field is created, as in electro-magnet. But, because of it's moving, the poles are not equal to the geographical poles, but moved away by approximately 8o. It is discovered that the magnetic poles move further very slowly and easily, and that they will get a deviation angle of 9o by the end of this millenium (by 2999).

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No one knows how the Earth's magnetic field is generated. There are still some open questions in science! Pick up a copy of "What Your Astronomy Textbook Won't Tell You", by Norman Sperling. Sperling is a telescope designer and former planetarium director and editor of Sky and Telescope magazine. The author lays out many unsolved mysteries of astronomy and planetary science, and the origin of planetary and stellar magnetic fields is just one of them.

Mark V

The Earth's core, however, is hotter than 1043 K, the Curie point temperature at which the orientations of electron orbits within iron become randomized. Such randomization tends to cause the substance to lose its magnetic field. Therefore the Earth's magnetic field is caused not by magnetised iron deposits, but mostly by electric currents in the liquid outer core.

quantenblitz

electromagnetism, and moving electrons. There are forces that act on our Earth that are not local, but actually come from outerspace. Elves and sprites show us this. Look at those electric solar flares. http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/Bigpappadiaz/040830magnetic.jpg The energy required to make an elve is AWESOME, so how do you think this energy can be stored in the clouds below them, or in the air surrounding them if they can clearly be seen spreading out in every direction? http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e397/Bigpappadiaz/discharge.gif Electromagnetism, my friend. On a galactic scale.

Tony, ya feel me?

The molten iron is in constant motion and so acts like a dynamo rather than a conventional permanent magnet.

Kevin C

Thats a very hot curry.

paolo m

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