Gas Torque Anomaly in Weak Magnetic Fields

Abstract

When a circular cylinder is immersed in some gases at pressures near 0.05 Torr, application of a weak magnetic field (0.2-200 Oe) parallel to the cylinder axis results in a torque about that axis when a temperature difference exists between the gas and the cylinder surface. This torque is a linear function of the temperature difference. It reverses when either the temperature gradient or the field direction is reversed. At a given pressure the torque exhibits a maximum at a definite value of the magnetic field, and the position of this maximum is a characteristic of the gas involved.