Researchers have long wondered about the existence of magnetic monopoles, but have never been able to find it. However, help has come from an unexpected, yet very familiar source: water. There are certain truisms that guide our understanding of physics. In the scientific world, these truisms are known as laws. By definition, a scientific law has been proven beyond refute. One famous example is Newton’s laws. These guiding forces of scientific inquiry cannot be disproven. However, when research is almost certain, but cannot ever be truly proven, it is known as theory. Einstein’s theory of relativity guides much of physics, but every possible situation could never be accounted for, so it will never be a law. Making Magnetic Monopoles a Reality One commonly held belief is that magnets will always have two poles, a north and south. Two like poles will always repel, and opposites will always attract. Scientific law, right? The scientific community has long held that there could never be a monopole. In other words, a magnet must always have two poles. However, with the help of new technologies, modern scientists have discovered similarities between the properties of water and materials called spin ice, uncovering a whole new type of magnetism. Spin Ice and its Magnetism To break it down, the “spin” part of this term refers to small compass-like needles, about the size of an atom, and are generally depicted by arrows. The “ice” part is in reference to the likeness of this material and water in its solid form, or common ice. These long-ranged patterns are labeled as “harmonic functions.” This means water in its liquid form and spin ice are “harmonic phases," a term used to describe different forms of matter that share similar properties. As explained by Nano Werk, water is a “polar liquid,” which means it forms distinct patterns when traveling long distances. These same patterns have now been detected in spin ice. The research reported by Nature.com explains when small crystals made up of spin ice are chilled to near absolute zero (0 Kelvin), “they seem to fill with tiny single points of north and south,” creating a monopole. Stay Up-to-Date on Magnetic Discoveries You might think the study of magnets and magnetism wouldn’t change that much, but the scientific community is finding out more every day! Make sure to check our blog for more exciting magnetic news or subscribe to our monthly newsletter. You’ll get access to more news on magnets in science and exclusive deals only available to Apex Magnets subscribers!