Levitate a coin using two powerful magnets

[udaibothra]

Hello Everyone,

I was wondering if you could levitate a coin using two powerful magnets on wither side of the coin? I mean, if the magnets equally attract the coin(provided they are equally strong), there must be a point where the force of attraction from both the magnets is equal and if that point can be found, it must be possible that the coin just stays in air, being equally attracted by the magnets. Or is it that the magnets might cancel out each others forces, and that point might be a null point? Thanks! :)

 

[Antiphon]

It's not stable with permanent magnets. You can use electromagnets with a feedback control system to hold it steady.

It's not stable for the same reason you can't balance a marble on the edge of a knife. It will fall one way or the other.

 

[AJ Bentley]

You can do something like this using electromagnets - its the basis of the Maglev system.

 

[K^2]

Also depends on the coin. I found that US coins are universally non-magnetic, but coins of some other countries are.

Of course, you can still levitate any conducting object, in principle, but then you'd be using oscillating magnetic field, and you'll be repelling the object, rather than attracting it.

 

[sardar]

Hello there,

Thank you for your question. The concept of levitation using magnets is a fascinating one and has been explored by scientists and engineers for many years. In theory, it is possible to levitate a coin using two powerful magnets on either side. As you mentioned, if the magnets are equally strong and attract the coin with equal force, there should be a point where the forces cancel out and the coin remains suspended in the air.

However, in practice, it is not as simple as it may seem. The force of attraction between two magnets decreases rapidly as the distance between them increases. This means that even if the magnets are initially placed at equal distances from the coin, any slight disturbance or movement can disrupt the balance and cause the coin to fall. Additionally, the orientation and alignment of the magnets also play a crucial role in achieving levitation.

Moreover, the strength of the magnets needed to levitate a coin would have to be extremely powerful, making it difficult to control and potentially dangerous. It is also important to consider the effects of gravity and other external forces that may affect the stability of the levitating coin.

In conclusion, while it is possible to levitate a coin using two powerful magnets, it is a complex process that requires precise alignment, strong magnets, and careful control. It is an interesting concept to explore, but it may not be practical or safe for everyday use. I hope this helps answer your question. Thank you for your curiosity and keep exploring the wonders of science!