I don't believe water has a strong magnetic dipole, so l wouldn't expect it to respond to a magnetic field.
However, as it has strong electric dipole it will respond to an electric field. For an electromagnetic wave B = E/c, (where c is the speed of light), so you could calculate the response to the B-field. But its really response to the E-field.
cheers, Neil
Hi Neil,
I believe also that only electric field has an effect on water molecules. However, I have seen people tried to test the effect of water in magnet. I think water can react to water, but it is not strong and significant.
Hi Roland,
all materials are diamagnetic to some degree, ie induced field acts in a direction opposite to the applied field, so this would be induced magnetic polarisation. If there is a small residual permanent magnetic dipole (ie an unpair spin of an electron) then the material will have a degree of paramagnetism about it. I'm not sure quite which way it is, perhaps consult von Hippel on dielectric and magnetic properties of materials.
best wishes, Neil
water is diamagnetic, with a magnetic susceptibility of -9 x 10^-6. I'm not sure if this is DC or AC susceptibility, but it will change with frequency. Diamagnetism is a subtle effect. You'll be able to find more detials on the magnetic susceptibility of water if you search. best wishes, Neil
- Badges
- Science topic