Magnet attached to boat, would it work?

In summary: The answer is that a magnet on a boat will not move the boat forward, as the magnetic forces between the two would be equal and opposite, resulting in no net movement. In summary, the magnet attached to a boat will not work to move the boat forward.
  • #1
Ungort
2
0
Magnet attached to boat, would it work!?

OK,

if there was a boat with a magnet held in front of it by some sort of arch/crane attached to the boat would the boat be pulled towards the magnet, thus moving the boat forward, or would it just stay still.
______
o [________]

Saying 'o' is the magnet, and [_________] is the boat, just to help explain my point.

Last post got deleted for 'trolling'
Just to point out, not trying to troll, just trying to work out something someone linked to me trying to troll me and it caused me to wonder if it would actually work.

Thankyou for your time :)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2


Ungort said:
OK,

if there was a boat with a magnet held in front of it by some sort of arch/crane attached to the boat would the boat be pulled towards the magnet, thus moving the boat forward, or would it just stay still.
______
o [________]

Saying 'o' is the magnet, and [_________] is the boat, just to help explain my point.

Last post got deleted for 'trolling'
Just to point out, not trying to troll, just trying to work out something someone linked to me trying to troll me and it caused me to wonder if it would actually work.

Thankyou for your time :)

No, it would not do anything in terms of moving the boat. If somebody on shore held out a magnet and was anchored to the shore, then it could attract the boat and pull it to the magnet's position. But somebody holding the magnet in the boat does nothing.
 
  • #3


That is physically the exact same thing as trying to lift a bucket off the ground while standing in it. The harder you lift the harder your feet push on the bottom of the bucket. The harder the magnet is pulls on the boat the harder the crane attached to the boat pushes back.
 
  • #4


OK, as I thought, is there a way of putting it that proves it though!? Because the person I'm trying to dissuade from idiocy still doesn't believe it until it has big words in basically.
 
  • #5


Tell him to get in his boat, tie a rope to the front of the boat, and pull themselves to shore. Same thing. The rope is held together by the same electromagnetic forces that the magnets use.
 
  • #6


Why not try it with a bathroom scale?

1. Get on the scale.
2. Read the scale.
3. Bend over and grab your shoelaces.
4. Pull up.
5. Read the scale.
 
  • #7


You put a little magnet in front of a big steel boat, and the your boat-magnet attracts the boat?

No; a fridge attracts a fridge-magnet,
and a boat attracts a boat -magnet.

Make the magnet as big as the boat and they meet in the middle; make the magnet much bigger than the boat, and the boat goes 9/10 and the magnet goes 1/10 the other way.

But taken altogether, nobody is going nowhere.
 
  • #8


Ungort said:
if there was a boat with a magnet held in front of it by some sort of arch/crane attached to the boat would the boat be pulled towards the magnet, thus moving the boat forward, or would it just stay still.

The boat WOULD be pulled towards the magnet. Unfortunately, the magnet would also be pulled towards the boat.

Why a boat? Why a magnet?

Why not a car? Or a bike? Or you with a rope?

Tie a rope around yourself and pull it forward with your arms. Get on a bike if wish. I suspect nobody would even try this stunt in front of a mirror out of embarrassment. Yet somehow a magnet and a boat would be any different?
 
  • #9


I think the thread has run its course.
 

1. How would a magnet attached to a boat work?

A magnet attached to a boat would work by creating a magnetic field around the boat. This magnetic field would interact with the Earth's magnetic field, causing the boat to experience a force in a particular direction.

2. What is the purpose of attaching a magnet to a boat?

The purpose of attaching a magnet to a boat is to create a magnetic force that can be used to steer or navigate the boat without the use of traditional methods such as a rudder or motor.

3. Would the strength of the magnet affect its effectiveness on the boat?

Yes, the strength of the magnet would affect its effectiveness on the boat. A stronger magnet would create a stronger magnetic field and therefore a stronger force on the boat.

4. How is the placement of the magnet on the boat important?

The placement of the magnet on the boat is important because it determines the direction and strength of the magnetic force on the boat. The closer the magnet is to the center of the boat, the more balanced and controllable the force will be.

5. Are there any drawbacks to using a magnet to steer a boat?

Yes, there are several drawbacks to using a magnet to steer a boat. The Earth's magnetic field is not always consistent, so the force on the boat may vary depending on location and time. Additionally, large metal objects on the boat, such as an engine, can interfere with the magnetic field and affect the effectiveness of the magnet.

Similar threads

  • DIY Projects
Replies
19
Views
456
  • Electromagnetism
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Mechanics
Replies
28
Views
1K
Replies
117
Views
5K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
911
Replies
22
Views
1K
Replies
2
Views
503
  • Classical Physics
3
Replies
70
Views
6K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • DIY Projects
Replies
33
Views
2K
Back
Top