Could a monopolar magnet theoretically exist in a stable and passive state?

[TheInternal]

Random question, yes, but a silly thread about magnets arouse a question I've had for awhile...

would it be possible to make a magnet with only a single polarity? Could it be done passively / without an active current? If such a thing could be done, would it be instantaneously neutralized by particles with opposite polarization trying to permeate the material? Would the closest we can come to a monopolar magnet be antimatter?

I could see tons of practical applications if such a thing could indeed exist, but based on my limited understanding of physics and atomic theory, no such thing could exist... or if it did, it would probably explode very quickly.

 

[Selenium_Glow]

Given my limited knowledge about magnetism, as soon as you make a pole, let's say North magnetic pole, a south is automatically generated. It is based on observed phenomenon.

Unlike charges which can and have been found to exist in monopole (i.e either positive only or negative only) magnetism has always been observed in dipole. Since monopole magnetism has never been observed, thus it is assumed that it does not exist.

I've heard scientist now playing with quarks and stuff to see if they can understand why would magnetism exhibit itself in dipole only... you just gave me a good topic to pass my day with.

 

[xboa721]

Try thinking of what a magnetic pole is. A soon a you align the precession of a bunch of molecules, preferably in a structure that likes to be magnetised you get a north and a south pole.

Ok. As any pole begins to form it begins to push the world around it like magnets tend to do. The world responds to being pushed and tends to pull.

Whatever the underlying structure that supports magnetism.. They can exist in free space remember.. one of Newton's laws seem to be followed in that a body at rest will remain at rest until acted upon by an external (or internal in this case) force.

The problem is, get an electron spinning on a set axis.. The angle of the axis is its precession angle that it goes orbiting around the nucleus at. Get a bunch of these electrons close to each other doing the same dance you observe a region of magnetism. The mag field exists as a dipole but really north and south are the same beast. Same phenomena causing the field.. "both" fields.

For a similar Queston, how can you drop a heavy weight into the floor without it exerting any force in the floor? Equal and opposite reactions. The book pushes down on the desk just as hard as the table pushes up on the book.

So I personally don't think we'll find a monopole. Frankly I think it would actually tear the very fabric of space time just to exist. It potentially would be highly unstable and I think likely collapse as opposed to explode.

The advantages are obvious. I mean, if we find desks that push up harder on books than books push down on desks we get flotation or an apparency of anti gravity. Do the same thing with magnetism and you get (likely) propulsion at a very great rate of knots.

Still, rather unlikely to find in a world we experience as a duality. Maybe a fleeting glimpse perhaps. imho.

So, to create one I wonder if you could align the precession of an electron for a theoretical half lap around the nucleus and then let go again.. Would that give a monopole.. Er, nope, just a weak mag field was usual. Try again.

 

[DrPizza]

OP, this is what you want to read:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_monopole

 

[wuliheron]

Whether it would be possible to isolate monoples for any length of time is anyone's guess since we've never detected them. However, German researchers have managed to create quasi-monopoles. If you want to know more here's a website:

http://www.physorg.com/news188655693.html