Magnetism and temperature

[Simpo Two]

A friend has just said that after accidentally leaving her purse in the freezer for three days, all her credit cards were wiped and had to be replaced.

How can that be?

[TheHeretic]

I have no idea why she left her purse in the freezer.

[Nimby]

Her accounts were frozen.

[Slink]

BA-dum tshh

[Use Psychology]

Unlikely... Heating up... Yes... Cooling down.... No.

[Simpo Two]

Electromagnetic flux from the compressor perhaps?

[tank slapper]

Simpo Two said:

Electromagnetic flux from the compressor perhaps?

That is more likely than any temperature effect. Heating magnets above a certain temperature causes them to lose their magnetic alignment, but cooling shouldn't have any detrimental effect.

[Simpo Two]

tank slapper said:

cooling shouldn't have any detrimental effect.

Perhaps if you supercool them one's credit limit tends to infinity...?

[MartG]

More likely that the NVRAM in the chip was wiped rather than the magnetic strip on the back

[moreflaps]

This has to be a troll

[Simpo Two]

moreflaps said:

This has to be a troll

Who, me or my friend and neighbour who left her cards in the freezer?

[The Wookie]

tank slapper said:

Simpo Two said:

Electromagnetic flux from the compressor perhaps?

That is more likely than any temperature effect.

I dunno, I've driven some EV prototypes with motors close enough with enough flux to warrant a high level risk assessment on long term effects on health and not had any of my credit cards pack it in.

Not particularly scientific of course...