Can I Build a Magnetic Box to Float Alpaca Objects?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter limio
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of building a magnetic box designed to levitate hollow objects made of alpaca, a silver alloy. Participants explore the theoretical and practical challenges of magnetic levitation, including material properties and stability issues.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a desire to create a magnetic box to levitate alpaca objects but questions the feasibility due to the material's magnetic properties and the mass of the objects.
  • Another participant suggests that alpaca, being a silver alloy, is unlikely to be magnetic and raises concerns about stability in maintaining the levitation of the objects.
  • A later reply mentions that it is possible to levitate conductors using an AC electromagnet, though it may involve challenges such as power consumption and heat generation.
  • Participants discuss the possibility of changing the material from alpaca to steel to improve magnetic properties.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that there are significant challenges to levitating the alpaca objects, particularly regarding their material properties and stability. However, there is no consensus on a definitive solution or approach.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions about the magnetic properties of alpaca and the specific requirements for stability in magnetic levitation. The discussion does not resolve these aspects.

limio
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hello all...
i need u're help,
well, i want to build a magnetic box - now, i have 4 hollow objects 2cm on 2 cm,
(they made of alpaca - a silverf alloy), and i want them to "flow" in the air - so i thought to build a small box 10 by 10 cm, that is open on one side,made of magnet so that the objects will "flow" betwin the magnets...
now I've been told that alpaca can't be magnetise..and that the mass of the object is too large...
do u think that there's a way that i can do it?
please help me...
i can change the matriel to steel or some thing else...
p.s. ...sorry for the english I'm not used to it...
 
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I'm going to go with my best estimate of what you're trying to do, since the wording is a little unusual. You mean that you want to magnetically levitate something inside a display box of some kind, right?
To start with, I've never heard of a magnetic alloy containing silver, so you probably heard right. Other than that, I can predict some serious stability problems; ie: keeping the object right-side-up and centred. The first tendency of any repelled magnet is to try and flip over to be attracted instead. Some more information, and maybe a picture would be helpful.
 
limio said:
hello all...
i need u're help,
well, i want to build a magnetic box - now, i have 4 hollow objects 2cm on 2 cm,
(they made of alpaca - a silverf alloy), and i want them to "flow" in the air - so i thought to build a small box 10 by 10 cm, that is open on one side,made of magnet so that the objects will "flow" betwin the magnets...
now I've been told that alpaca can't be magnetise..and that the mass of the object is too large...
do u think that there's a way that i can do it?
please help me...
i can change the matriel to steel or some thing else...
p.s. ...sorry for the english I'm not used to it...

Try looking at

http://my.execpc.com/~rhoadley/maglev.htm

for ideas.

Note that it is possible to levitate conductors if you have an AC electromagnet. It may be power hungry, get hot, and be difficult to hide the wiring, though.
 
thank u all

well first of all I'm sorry about the english,
secondely, well i thought that it would by impossible or very difficult, any way thanks for the help, and if some thing good will come out of it i'll let u know...
 

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