Re: starship-design: Magnetic Monopole

[kyle <stk@sunherald.infi.net>]

Steve VanDevender wrote:
> 
>
> One has to be careful interpreting the behavior of a compass.  For
> example, a non-magnetized lump of iron would show similar behavior;
> depending on which end of the compass you brought closest to it first,
> that end would keep pointing at the lump for as long as you kept the
> compass nearby and didn't shake it too much, because the magnet of the
> compass needle is attracted to the iron lump.  Your measurement is
> definitely not conclusive.

I pointed the south side of the compass at the monopole, and it changed
direction. I tried testing it with another permanent magnet, which
quickly began to vibrate, and tried to switch sides. (N/S)

> If your object is a dipole (and I strongly suspect it is, you probably
> just aren't being careful enough about measuring the field) then it will
> show orientation in a magnetic field consistent with that; it will line
> up differently depending on the direction of an externally-applied
> magnetic field.

Its a dipole, but with monopolar qualities. A south field is produced
(and only south) on the inside of the device, and only north on the
outside. I still think its useful though.

> 
> Oh, and don't forget to throw it through a superconducting ring, just to
> be sure :-)

I don't have a superconductive ring.

Kyle Mcallister