Magnet Myths and Misconceptions

[SeaMonkey]

We must not forget that what we call "knowledge"
regarding magnetism is largely observational theory.

What we do not know about magnetism outweighs
what we truly do know by several orders of magnitude.

Human character defects often prevent acquisition of
true knowledge.

[MileHigh]

What we do not know about magnetism outweighs
what we truly do know by several orders of magnitude.

The truth is that you don't know what you don't know.  So that means you don't know if we have it all figured out or if we have a lot more to learn.  It certainly means that if you don't know what you don't know then you are not in any position to state "several orders of magnitude."

Why not start by trying to learn what we do know, instead of navel gazing about what we might not know?  That's the typical "short circuit approach" where a beginner that has very little understanding throws that line at someone that is knowledgeable.  You see it all the time, and it was used ineffectively for the QEG.

And please don't tell me that you do know how much we don't know because you got that information from the same "entities" that tell you all about the coming apocalypse and the war between good and evil and that Cabal stuff because my eyes will glaze over.

Human character defects often prevent acquisition of true knowledge.

I agree, that's why you have fiascoes like the QEG and hundreds or thousands of people out of pocket.  That's why you have people playing with coils and magnets for years without understanding how they work.  They even make "educational" clips.  Hence this thread to try to help some people.

[SeaMonkey]

Anything which is classified as "theoretical" is an
admission that it really is unknown.

Although we may not know what we don't know;
we can be fairly certain that theories are frequently
subject to change as the unknowns become better
known.

To think of scientific theory as scientific fact would
be most unscientific.

Yes, I am well aware Miles.  Your eyes become glazed
over with Truth.  You might say that you have sort of
an intrinsic Truth Detector.  If you could only believe
your lying eyes, that is...

[Newton II]

What we know are just experimental observations.  What we don't know are the most basic things.

There are lot of experiments showing the behaviour,properties and nature of magnetic fields.   But the most basic questions : What is a magnetic field?  What is it made of? - No one knows the answer.

Can we define magnetic field as 'cluster of magnetons emitted by moving electrons and held in position around magnet by magnetic black hole?'  (black hole or black pole?)

We are developing our knowledge without knowing basics.   Which is as bad as constructing a house without foundation, which ofcourse may collapse any time.

[TinselKoala]

You can define a magnetic field as a cloud of tiny purple honeybees swarming in tune to a Sosa march if you like. But if it doesn't help you observe, describe, calculate, control, engineer, or to predict future behaviour, then your definition isn't going to be much good.