Is it possible for a strong magnetic field to be deadly to a person or any other living thing?
Electromagnetism is one of the fundamental forces that govern our world. We are constantly exposed to electromagnetism in our daily lives, allowing us to see, feel heat from the Sun, and sit on chairs without falling through. The Earth is surrounded by a magnetic field that protects us from cosmic radiation and particles from the Sun. While magnetic fields are essential for our daily activities, excessive exposure can be harmful.
In the new sci-fi thriller Teacup, a rural community is trapped within a deadly electromagnetic field where crossing the boundary results in a violent death. The invisible boundaries of the trap are only marked by a spray painted line, making escape impossible.
Could such a deadly magnetic field trap like Teacup actually exist?
Our bodies react to magnetic fields, with electrons rearranging themselves to oppose the field in a process called diamagnetism. While the force of magnetic fields is usually weak compared to other forces like gravity, when strong enough, it can have dramatic effects. Scientists have even been able to levitate living organisms using magnetic fields.
The strength of magnetic fields needed to counteract gravity is immense, far greater than what we encounter in everyday life. The magnetic fields around the Earth and Sun are measured in gauss, with the Earth’s field averaging at 0.5 gauss and the Sun’s field being even stronger. Even the magnetic fields produced by MRI machines in hospitals, which are significantly stronger than natural fields, are not strong enough to harm a person.
Although stronger magnetic fields have been produced in scientific experiments, they are usually fleeting and can destroy the instruments creating them. To find truly destructive magnetic fields, we would need to look towards magnetars, neutron stars with magnetic fields trillions of times stronger than anything we can produce. Being near a magnetar’s surface would result in the complete dismantling of a person on an atomic level.
Don’t miss the latest episodes of Teacup, exclusively on Peacock every Thursday.
