Naked Science Forum
General Science => General Science => Topic started by: chris on 19/11/2005 12:07:01
-
The other day I was asked about the water softening devices that are often seen advertised in gadget magazines.
The item the person described is about 15 centimetres long, vaguely cylindrical, and about 3 centimetres in diameter. The accompanying instructions suggest that when clamped around the water main they will prevent pipes throughout the house from furring up due to limescale.
To my knowledge they contain no power source, but are supposed to operate "magnetically".
I'm very dubious about this, so I'm wondering if anyone else has one and can tell me what evidence the manufacturers claim for the effectiveness of this device, and the mechanism by which it is alleged to reduce water hardness ?
Chris
"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
- Groucho Marx
-
Sounds like a Scam-o-matic to me
-
There is a whole 'magnetic' industry, apparently they will improve the fuel consumption of your car and various other exciting things, I would tend to agree with doc-beaver's interpretation however.
-
Here in the States there was a company selling a magnetic device to help "prop you up" down south. Supposed to be an alternative to Viagra. The problem was that when you were floating in your pool you always tended to orient yourself to the north.
-
Yep, tried one.
Subsequently bought salt based ion-exchange water softener for almost £1k. I don't spend almost £1k if the other solution works. I leave it to your imagination as to whether the magnetic system worked.
-
quote:
Originally posted by another_someone
Yep, tried one.
and did it "prop you up down South"?
-
quote:
Originally posted by Simmer
quote:
Originally posted by another_someone
Yep, tried one.
and did it "prop you up down South"?
I think so. Once I get myself off the robot I will know for sure.
-
They make many claims, and magnetized water does have different properties than un-magnetized water, but, water has no remanent magnetic field, so those properties are forgotten after the water leaves the field. I don't believe that disolution of calcium or magnesium is affected by such a small magnetic field.
"F = ma, E = mc^2, and you can't push a string."