Uranus's Magnetic Field (Earth, universe, sound, new)

[Hazel W]

I was reading about Uranus and the fact that it has a magnetic field. How could this be if it doesn't have a metallic core, I wondered. To me a metallic core would be solid which I think Uranus is not. A Harvard article described the magnetic field as "made by a degenerate, metallic fluid. No one yet knows exactly what the magnetic attraction is but the article makes a "speculation" about the possibility. "Magnetic fields of Uranus and Neptune are probably made by dynamo convection of a fluid composed mostly of MFH (metallic fluid hydrogen), a "cold" degenerate condensed matter."

Questions to clear my thinking: (1) I occurs to me that I may be confusing "fluid" and "liquid". Perhaps we can have a "fluid" that does not qualify as a "liquid"? (2) Does hydrogen have a magnetic attraction the way iron has on Earth? (3) Hydrogen is a gas. Can hydrogen become fluidic?

Then, just for fun, would anyone care to speculate as to what may be generating a magnetic field in Uranus and Neptune? If it has not yet been decided, we are all allowed ideas. Yes?

[harry chickpea]

Metallic hydrogen sounds reasonable. The main states of matter are solid, liquid, gas, plasma. We think of hydrogen as a gas, but under pressure it becomes liquid. Understanding "metal" is much easier once you grasp the periodic table and concept behind it. Electromagnetism and the common understanding of magnets from observation is different. Copper is a great conductor of electricity, and electric fields have a magnetic component. Copper, however, is a terrible magnet.

Fluid - individual solids such as sand can act in a fluid manner, as evidenced by an hourglass.

"Then, just for fun, would anyone care to speculate as to what may be generating a magnetic field in Uranus and Neptune?"

Alien hydrogen beasts farting.

A refrigerator magnet left by the Vogons.

The rare element Illudium Phosdex, "the shaving cream atom." (Not to be confused with its unstable isotope Illudium Pew-36.)

[Hazel W]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

Metallic hydrogen sounds reasonable. The main states of matter are solid, liquid, gas, plasma. We think of hydrogen as a gas, but under pressure it becomes liquid. Understanding "metal" is much easier once you grasp the periodic table and concept behind it. Electromagnetism and the common understanding of magnets from observation is different. Copper is a great conductor of electricity, and electric fields have a magnetic component. Copper, however, is a terrible magnet.

Fluid - individual solids such as sand can act in a fluid manner, as evidenced by an hourglass.

"Then, just for fun, would anyone care to speculate as to what may be generating a magnetic field in Uranus and Neptune?"

Alien hydrogen beasts farting.

A refrigerator magnet left by the Vogons.

The rare element Illudium Phosdex, "the shaving cream atom." (Not to be confused with its unstable isotope Illudium Pew-36.)

Aha! All pretty much what I suspected but didn't dare assume, not knowing all that much about how elements work. Is your third idea serious? I'll check later. Thanks very much. I am into a book that is comparing the planets with each other and some things really got my attention. And magnetic fields have had my attention for some time. They are a bit mysterious.

Always something new to learn about our universe. Again, thanks. Hazel

[harry chickpea]

"Is your third idea serious? I'll check later. "

You did say "just for fun" Enjoy the video you run across.

[Hazel W]

Originally Posted by harry chickpea

"Is your third idea serious? I'll check later. "

You did say "just for fun" Enjoy the video you run across.

All right.