MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Re: Can magnets be used to attract dust?

Date: Mon Jan 31 18:02:51 2000
Posted By: Everett Rubel, MadSci Admin
Area of science: Physics
ID: 949283626.Ph
Message:

Bryan,

Thanks for the question. The answer really depends on what type of dust or other substance you are trying to clean from your room. It also depends on the type of magnet you are using.

If you have a lot of iron, nickel, or other strongly magnetic substance as dust then you are all set. Any ordinary magnet will attract dust made from these substances, called ferrormagnetic. It is a good idea to cover the magnet with a thin sheet of plastic, like plastic wrap, so that you can then easily clean the magnet by lifting off the plastic and dust together.

Another strategy is needed for non-ferromagnetic materials. There are many more substances that are not strongly attracted to a magnet than those that are strongly attracted. One strategy is to mix the regular nonmagnetic dust,dirt, and grime with dust that is magnetic, and hoping that the magnetic stuff sticks to the nonmagnetic stuff. Then you can use a magnet to pull all or most of the magnetic and nonmagnetic material out together. If this seems too outlandish then take a look at this URL:
Cleani ng Oil from Birds

Another even more outlandish strategy is to use a property called diamagnetism. It turns out that many substances are actually repelled by magnets. This repulsion is very weak, usually thousands of times weaker than the magnetic attraction of iron to a magnet, so we don't normally notice it. It might be possible to use the diamagnetic effect to clean the floor of a room by placing very powerful electromagnets under the floor. They could be turned on when you wanted to clean and the dirt on the floor would float up off the floor. To see that this effect really exists see these URLs:
Snow and Ice Diamagnetism
Water Diamagnetism

I hope that this gives you some ideas about how magnets can be used for cleaning. I am afraid they are not very practical at the moment, but someday, someone, maybe you, could make magnetic cleaning in the home practical.

Best Regards,

Everett Rubel


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