We can often reverse human processes without realizing it, such as when we wind a clock. This phenomenon, called the ratchet effect, is analogous to a mechanical ratchet holding a spring tightly as it winds up. The ratchet effect is often attributed to the power of repetition. But what is the ratchet effect and why does it matter? This article explains the mechanism of this phenomenon.
Object movement condition
In physics, the ratchet effect is a mechanism that forces an object moving randomly in one direction to move in the opposite direction. The ratchet effect can be observed in nature, where motor proteins are made up of small beads that move down a ramp. The same mechanism is at work inside cells, where kinesin uses random thermal energy to move forward along a biopolymer strand. Scientists have since developed small devices to mimic the ratchet effect.
The ratchet effect occurs in many contexts. For example, the ratchet effect can occur when individuals learn the skills of making tools. In addition, the ratchet effect is also present in cultural traditions. Although such traditions don’t accumulate modifications over time, they are still representative of behavioural biases of different populations. For example, different populations tend to copy a process differently than the ones in their immediate environment, which creates an artificial ratchet effect.
Local asymmetries
The ratchet effect is the process of reversible motion of cells in a confined system. The direction of motion of the cells is set by the direction of broken symmetry and in the case of closed configurations, the direction is set by the polarization induced by entering cells. Cells move in a ratchet channel through focal contacts made of actin and keratin. The direction of motion is impaired when the keratin is defective.
In order to obtain a ratchet structure with different asymmetric pinning potentials, the interacting particles are sculpted in a vortex lattice. The local ratchet effect can be used for controlling the transport of multiple particles at nanoscale. This cooperative long-range order effect is dependent on the nature of the vortex. Asymmetry of the vortex plays a key role in the ratchet effect dynamics.
Object movement condition in a system with vortices moving in a disorder
A convective Taylor column is a long-lived columnar structure that extends over the entire height of the cell and is important for momentum and heat transport. Previous studies have studied the morphology and statistical properties of vortices. The Tacoma Narrows bridge collapse has been the subject of a discussion in virtually every introductory physics course.
Object movement condition in a system with ac driving Lorentz force
An AC driving magnetic field will create a force called the Lorentz force. This force is proportional to q, the magnitude of the vector cross product v x B. Lorentz force equals qvB sin ph. It explains the motion of a charged particle in a uniform magnetic field, where the particle follows a circular trajectory with radius r = mv/qB.
A small control current, 1 A, is used to study the variation of the driving force with displacement. The maximum and minimum driving forces measured in the vertical direction are 5.85 N and 4.04 N, respectively, with a large fluctuation of 30.9% and 21.6%, respectively. These large fluctuations are attributed to the large fluctuation of the air-gap magnetic field.
