Electrets and Magnets

["Tesla list" <tesla@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Original poster: stork <stork@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>

9-11-05

I've read that when an electret pole is move linearly across a pole 
of a permanent magnet that a perpendicular force is exerted on the 
electret.  This force is not attraction or repulsion, but exerted 90 
degrees from the path of movement of the electret.

If so, could this this just be a different face of our old friend the 
Lorentz force which is applied to steady state electric and magnetic 
fields?  But, isn't the Lorentz force applied to a conductor with a 
current within a magnetic field?  So where's the current with the 
permanent and electret?  Maybe the Lorentz force doesn't need a 
current conductor.  Maybe the Lorentz force is a "field" 
phenomenon.  Perhaps an unrecognized quantum effect.

http://www.sciencejoywagon.com/physicszone/lesson/otherpub/wfendt/lorentzforce.htm

What geometry of electrets and Tesla coils would allow shaping of the 
TC field?  Could a directed TC field be produced.  Perhaps a 
spiraling TC directed field?

Electrets are not hard to make, but with their commercial 
availability today (cell phones) does anyone know of a readily 
available source?  I would like to observe this phenomenon before 
speculating much further.

Stork