Mathematics has always been able to shine a light on much scientific inquiry. Today, mathematical models that have been used to describe the characteristics and behaviors of magnetic materials are also used to understand the spread of SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19.
This is the conclusion researchers from Sao Paulo State University arrived at in their latest study.
Magnetism Explained
According to EDinformatics, magnetism, in physics, is produced by the movement of electric charge which results in both attractive and repulsive forces in objects. All magnets have 2 ends that have the strongest magnetic effect.
When 2 objects exerting magnetic force are brought together they exert forces on each other, which either repel or attract. Magnetic forces behave similarly to electric forces where there are attractions and repulsions.
Every atom consists of a nucleus which houses protons and neutrons held tightly together by force and electrons that are believed to be revolving around the said nucleus bound by electric forces. The rotation or spin of the electrons in their own axis produces magnetic dipole moments and is one of the most fundamental properties of electrons.
Physics Explaining How Quarantine Mitigates COVID-19 Spread
The study conducted in Brazil by Sao Paulo State University researchers published in Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and Its Applications, entitled "Epidemics, the Ising-model and percolation theory: A comprehensive review focused on Covid-19" was a project led by a professor at UNESP, Mariano de Souza.
The main idea surrounding the study was an analogy between magnetism and epidemiology concepts where electron interactions are compared to the interactions in people. Souza said to Phys.Org that researchers utilized the Ising Model, a model that has been used to explain physics concept several times, in order to demonstrate the key role social distancing and isolation plays in effectively reducing the rate of COVID-19 transmission.
Researchers explained that they imagined patients infected with COVID-19 were 'spin-ups' while non-infected members of society were 'spin-down'. Where the team considered the interactions between infected and non-infected people analogous to the exchange of energy in magnetism.
Adding more complex physics concepts such as percolation theory and Bethe lattice, the team of researchers was able to demonstrate the vital role social distancing and quarantine protocols play in effectively mitigating the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.
Souza explains that the team of researchers considered people who have come in contact with each other as a network formed, where contact between infected people and non-infected people is more likely to spread the coronavirus. As an example, if the first infected person is in contact with other people that have failed to abide by the minimum health standards or take the necessary precautions such as hand hygiene, face coverings, and social distancing. Members of the group that have been infected with the virus may transmit COVID-19 to relatives, other contacts, and friends, who in turn will spread it to others in the same fashion. This interaction forms a 'contact network' which corresponded with Bethe lattice in condensed matter physics.
Check out more news and information on COVID-19 on Science Times.
