Influence of Magnetic Field on Evaporation Rate and Surface Tension of Water

Abstract

Using neodymium ring magnets (0.5⁻0.65 T), the experiments on the magnetic field (MF) effects on water evaporation rate and surface tension were performed at room temperature (22⁻24 °C). In accordance with the literature data, the enhanced evaporation rates were observed in the experiments conducted in a period of several days or weeks. However, the evaporated amounts of water (up to 440 mg over 150 min) in particular experiments differed. The evaporated amounts depended partially on which pole of the ring magnet was directed up. The relatively strong MF (0.65 T) caused a slight decrease in surface tension (−2.11 mN/m) which lasted longer than 60 min and the memory effect vanished slowly. The surface tension data reduced by the MF action are reported in the literature, although contrary results can be also found. The observed effects can be explained based on literature data of molecular simulations and the suggestion that MF affects the hydrogen bonds of intra- and inter-clusters of water molecules, possibly even causing breakage some of them. The Lorentz force influence is also considered. These mechanisms are discussed in the paper.

Keywords

• magnetic field effects
• water
• evaporation rate
• surface tension