Can Electromagnets Pull Out Car Dents?

  • Context: High School 
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    Electromagnet
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of using an electromagnet to pull out hail-size dents from a car. Participants explore the effectiveness of electromagnets in this context, considering factors such as size, current, and the physical contact with the dent.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether a specific electromagnet with a 1-3/4" diameter and a holding capacity of 700 lbs can effectively pull out a dent.
  • Another participant suggests that keeping the magnet flush with the indentation is crucial for effective lifting, as the edge of the magnet may not provide sufficient holding power.
  • A different participant humorously proposes using a plunger as an alternative method for removing dents.
  • Some participants note that while some electromagnets can lift heavy objects like cars, the effectiveness depends on the current in the coil rather than just the size of the magnet.
  • One participant makes a lighthearted remark about the implications of size and current in a personal context.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the effectiveness of electromagnets for this purpose, with no consensus reached on the best approach or the feasibility of the method discussed.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not clarify the specific conditions under which the electromagnet would be used, such as the type of dent or the surface material of the car, leaving some assumptions unaddressed.

fattestcat
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I was wondering if it is possible to pull a hail-size dent out of a car with an electromagnet. I have seen an electromagnet that is 1-3/4" diameter and can hold 700 lbs. Will this do anything or what?
 
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You could probably do it if you could keep the magnet flush with the indentation. Otherwise, the holding power of just the edge of the magnet may not be adequate.
 
did you try a plunger
 
Some electromagnets can lift a car. We see it on TV and movies quite often. It is not the size that matters, but the current in the coil (although the bigger the electromagnet, the more wire you can loop around it, adding to current density)
 
It is not the size that matters, but the current in the coil

Try telling that to my girlfriend! :smile: :smile: :smile:
 

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