Amplification of weak magnetic field effects on oscillating reactions
Thomas C. Player, Edward D. A. Baxter, Sarah Allatt, P. J. Hore
Abstract
We explore the possibility that chemical feedback and autocatalysis in oscillating chemical reactions could amplify weak magnetic field effects on the rate constant of one of the constituent reactions, assumed to proceed via a radical pair mechanism. Using the Brusselator model oscillator, we find that the amplitude of limit cycle oscillations in the concentrations of reaction intermediates can be extraordinarily sensitive to minute changes in the rate constant of the initiation step. The relevance of such amplification to biological effects of 50/60 Hz electromagnetic fields is discussed.
Topics & Concepts
BrusselatorAutocatalysisReaction rate constantMagnetic fieldChemical reactionElectromagnetic fieldPhysicsAmplitudeConstant (computer programming)Limit (mathematics)Field (mathematics)Limit cycleChemical physicsChemistryNuclear magnetic resonanceKineticsClassical mechanicsQuantum mechanicsNonlinear systemComputer scienceMathematicsMathematical analysisProgramming languagePure mathematicsBiochemistrystochastic dynamics and bifurcationElectromagnetic Fields and Biological EffectsNonlinear Dynamics and Pattern Formation