# How could we generate electricity if magnets didn't work? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 31, 2012, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906 "2012-07-31T00:58:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![dexter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/dc4da7/32.png) [@dexter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dexter)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906/21 "2012-07-31T02:59:38Z")
To get back to the OP, the answer really is - you can’t have one without the other. You could switch to other ways to transmit energy, say hydraulics. And engineers could find ways to utilize this energy to provide useful functions. But it wouldn’t be electricity, any more than pressure is a volt. You could call it that, but it doesn’t make it so. To refer to my previous post, If gravity stopped, but living things still clumped together, would that still properly be referred to as “gravity”? ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906/22 "2012-07-31T04:14:41Z")
> [@dexter](#): > > Ditto. Electricity and magnetism are ONE force, inseparable. eliminate one, you have eliminated both. > > Or, if you prefer, they are two ends of the same singular whole. You still can’t eliminate part without eliminating all. Or you could eliminate relativity. I think that would allow electric field to exist but not magnetic field? ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906/23 "2012-07-31T04:36:06Z")
Magnetism/electricity both arise from the charge and current of the electron. It can’t be separated. To create electricity would intrinsically create a corresponding magnetic field. It doesn’t matter _how_ you got the electricity, magnetism will result (or vise-versa). It would be like asking “How far could a car travel, if time ceased to exist?” Space and time are two aspects of the same thing. As it is with both matter/energy and electricity/magnetism. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906/24 "2012-07-31T04:47:55Z")
> [@scr4](#): > > Or you could eliminate relativity. I think that would allow electric field to exist but not magnetic field? Just go with the approximations that circuit designers work with. Without the magnetic field you loose inductors, motors, AC current and pretty much every power supply currently in use and radio. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906/25 "2012-07-31T05:11:40Z")
> [@gazpacho](#): > > Just go with the approximations that circuit designers work with. Without the magnetic field you loose inductors, motors, AC current and pretty much every power supply currently in use and radio. And, for that matter, we wouldn’t be able to see jack-shit. However, it would mean saying goodbye to the electron, so I think being effectively blind would be the least of our worries. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906/26 "2012-07-31T05:21:27Z")
Shuffle my feet on the carpet and touch unsuspecting hypothetical poseurs. Shocking, I know, but someone needs to be charged for this crime to happen. Resistance is futile. Anyone who tries to impede me will hear my mantra: “ohm”. I will have them attacked with a rabid farad. Watt’s so bad about that? Don’t have the capacitance for puns? That really hertz. Like a volt outta the vlue. What is the frequency Kenneth? All these re-cycled 60 times per second. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 7:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906/27 "2012-07-31T07:06:12Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > Just for clarification if something is a ‘motor’ it is electric. ‘Motor’ is often used incorrectly to describe various ‘engines’ That’s the definition of ‘electric motor’, but I don’t believe it’s correct to say that the unqualified term ‘motor’ automatically and exclusively means ‘electric motor’… so… Cite please? ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 8:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906/28 "2012-07-31T08:17:11Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Since we generate electricity by spinning turbines by various means that turn magnets around a wire, I am wondering what options we’ll have. Solar power? Steam engines? Any other way to make electricity that don’t rely on magnets? The ability to generate power would be severely curtailed, but so would the demand. How much of our current capacity goes to things like electric motors that would also become useless? ---
**Author:** ![clairobscur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/839c29/32.png) [@clairobscur](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/clairobscur)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906/29 "2012-07-31T08:26:34Z")
Well… I suppose the OP question could be reformulated this way in order to allow for meaningful answers : Let’s suppose that a major religious taboo prevents us from using magnets and electro-magnets. Magnetic fields are holy and can’t be used for profane purposes, and sacred magnets should be left untouched lest the gods will be pissed off. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906/30 "2012-07-31T08:35:13Z")
> [@clairobscur](#): > > Well… I suppose the OP question could be reformulated this way in order to allow for meaningful answers : > > Let’s suppose that a major religious taboo prevents us from using magnets and electro-magnets. Magnetic fields are holy and can’t be used for profane purposes, and sacred magnets should be left untouched lest the gods will be pissed off. Pushing electricity down a wire generates a magnetic field (or maybe the other way around, depending your point of view). I don’t think there’s any way to coherently formalise this scenario without also precluding most of the uses for electricity. That’s not to say it’s not worth discussing, only that the hypothetical is too delicate to withstand being unpicked. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906/31 "2012-07-31T10:07:04Z")
If magnetic fields don’t work, we’re all dead, aren’t we? I mean, solar radiation would do for us even if our bodies still worked (not sure what the magnetic component is to nerve conduction - I know it’s primarily electrochemical in origin, but transmission?) ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906/32 "2012-07-31T13:04:22Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > That’s the definition of ‘electric motor’, but I don’t believe it’s correct to say that the unqualified term ‘motor’ automatically and exclusively means ‘electric motor’… so… Cite please? It’s sort of insane to think of all the commonly used words that are just flat out incorrect simply because one guy on the Internet decided he doesn’t want to qualify electric motors with the adjective electric anymore. Motor oil… Motor boat… motorcycle… General Motors. ---
**Author:** ![dataguy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eada6e/32.png) [@dataguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dataguy)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906/33 "2012-07-31T13:10:49Z")
Batteries. Solar Cells. ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906/34 "2012-07-31T13:20:59Z")
Anyone mentioned fuel cells? On the minus side, generating electricity will be much harder to do. On the plus side, we won’t need so much electricity since so many of our things won’t work anymore. The only household items I can think of that will straight up work are heaters and lights. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906/35 "2012-07-31T13:45:22Z")
> [@suranyi](#): > > This is why I don’t get hypothetical questions. Given the hypothesis is pure fantasy, the only honest answer is that anything is possible. I agree. If you know anything at all about electromagnetism (hint: it’s one word), then the question is what would happen if you could change the laws of physics but everything still existed as is? There is no such thing as “magnetism” separate and apart from “electricity”. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906/36 "2012-07-31T13:48:02Z")
> [@boytyperanma](#): > > Just for clarification if something is a ‘motor’ it is electric. ‘Motor’ is often used incorrectly to describe various ‘engines’ From Merriam-Webster: > [@](#): > > : one that imparts motion; specifically : prime mover > 2 > : any of various power units that develop energy or impart motion: as > a : a small compact engine > b : internal combustion engine; especially : a gasoline engine I guess I’m a little surprised to see your claim. Do you have a cite for it? ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906/37 "2012-07-31T13:49:59Z")
Leaving aside the magnetic field vs. the electromagnetic field, I don’t know if it really matters to most of humanity if we can create electricity or not. Given the current state of technology, there wouldn’t be enough time to develop alternatives quickly in order to prevent mass starvation and all the rest of the doomsday scenarios. (Although I presume we would get lucky and avoid the zombies.) Having zero transportation (technically, it would be 0.001% of today’s capacity or so, once you got all the horses harnessed up) as you kiss your cars, planes, trains, ships and all else good bye. Life support is gone, of course, medication will go as soon as the inventory at the local drug store is gone. Anything requiring refrigeration is toast. All communication is shot. Internet, phones, faxes, satellite up links. Lack of food supplies will be the first major killer. Fortunately those out there will their several thousand rounds will last longer than those without. I’ve always been particular to fresh water, so that will be a real bite to miss that. Once mass starvation / thirst starts to take its toll, then the disease will start to increase. Cities aren’t going to be centers of fun. I wonder what percent of the population will survive the first six months. Farmers should fare better than most, with the added bonus of fewer marauding bikers. So, the problem is how to build completely new infrastructure with extremely limited access to material or energy. ---
**Author:** ![Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/96bed5/32.png) [@Patty\_O\_Furniture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patty_O_Furniture)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906/38 "2012-07-31T14:06:37Z")
Such a contraption would be a doomsday device, since it would eliminate the magnetosphere. How long would it take for the solar wind to wipe away our atmosphere? ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906/39 "2012-07-31T14:51:24Z")
[It’s started](http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/india-blackout-on-second-day-leaves-600-million-without-power/2012/07/30/gJQA7j1LMX_story.html?hpid=z1). ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2012, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906/40 "2012-07-31T15:20:09Z")
If I recall correctly, John Galt invented a device to generate electricity directly from the static electricity in the atmosphere. Its only drawback is that it is completely fictional, but other than that, it should do the trick. Also, as an engineer, I hear the term “motor” used for all manner of prime movers, including internal combustion engines. “Damn this traffic jam. It’s hurtin’ my motor to go so slow…” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-could-we-generate-electricity-if-magnets-didnt-work/629906.md?page=3)