George Whitesides: Lorenz Impact and Curiosity

Lorenz Impact

Dr. George Whitesides is curious concerning the Lorenz impact and drive. Lorenz drive (often known as the Lorentz drive) describes the drive skilled by a charged particle resulting from electrical and magnetic fields. First described by the Dutch physicist Hendrik Lorenz, this drive could be described by this equation: F = qE + qv x B [1]. The bolded components symbolize vector portions. A vector is an object with each a magnitude and a path.

Let’s now dive into what every time period refers to! F is the complete electromagnetic drive on the charged particle—and that is our Lorenz drive. We are able to then break down the equation into two components consisting of an electrical drive and a magnetic drive. The primary time period is qE, typically known as the electrical drive. E is the electrical area whereas q is the electrical cost of the particle. Generated by electrical cost, electrical fields present details about drive per unit cost at each level in house surrounding a distribution of prices. Multiplying this electrical area with the electrical cost of the particle will give us the electrical drive on the particle.

The second time period of the Lorenz equation is the magnetic drive: F = qv x B. q represents the cost of the particle; v represents the rate of the charged particle; B represents the magnetic area vector. The x within the equation represents a cross-product between the rate and the magnetic area vector. 

Cross-product between two vectors (let’s say a and b) produce one other vector that has particular properties. Specifically, the resultant vector is perpendicular to each a and b. Right here is a picture that represents this relationship:

The method for a cross-product between two vectors is a x b = ||a|| ||b|| sin (θ) the place θ is the angle between a and b. We are able to apply this to the magnetic drive a part of the Lorenz drive equation: F = qv x B = q ||v|| ||B|| sin (θ). 

The Lorenz impact has necessary purposes in numerous areas of physics and engineering. It’s the precept behind the operation of many electrical motors and mills, the place the interplay between the magnetic area and the shifting charged particles produces mechanical work or electrical vitality. Dr. George Whitesides, a exceptional chemist, a pioneer in nanotechnology, and a visionary within the area of supplies science, finds the Lorenz results thrilling and helpful [3]. His undergraduate thesis involved electrochemistry, and he continues to ponder how magnetic fields have an effect on chemistry in addition to the larger query of the origin of life. Discover extra on his lab’s work with the Lorenz impact right here.

Curiosity

Dr. Whitesides has had an illustrious profession as a scientist and inventor. His work extends past the realms of chemistry and has left long-lasting impacts in numerous fields. For instance, these fields embody however usually are not restricted to medical diagnostics, nanofabrication methods, and public well being. He believes in doing work that advantages society and sees chemistry as a automobile to perform such work [3]. It’s extremely exhausting to seize all that Dr. Whitesides has labored on and completed, however we wish to depart one message from him for our readers: be and keep curious [3]. Dr. Whitesides finds many matters attention-grabbing. He tells future scientists that it’s as much as them to determine what’s necessary out of these curiosity-inducing phenomena, questions, and issues.

Be taught Extra

When you’d like to listen to extra about Dr. Winhitesides’ journey in addition to his present passions and former initiatives, go to us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and plenty of different streaming providers to take heed to our ChemTalk podcast with Dr. George Whitesides, Woodford L. and Ann A. Flowers College Analysis Professor at Harvard College’s Division of Chemistry and Chemical Biology. 

Discover the ChemTalk podcast right here.

Works Cited

[1] Encyclopaedia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Lorentz drive. Encyclopaedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/Lorentz-force 

[2] Williams, M. (2016, October 23). What’s a magnetic area? Universe Immediately. https://www.universetoday.com/76515/magnetic-field/ 

[3]  Whitesides, George. Private Interview. Carried out by Olivia Lambertson and Riya Jain. 6 April 2023.