If anyone cares to know, I have convinced the opposing side that energy is conserved with this argument, so I call it a success.
Thanks for all your input and reinforcement.
@BillPrestonEsq:
Believe me, I get that part. My concern was if the analogy qualitatively (thank you K^2) holds, which it does, and his concern does miss the point.
However, I need to look up superconducting magnets now...
@BillPrestonEsq:
(I thought so too! thanks)
You may be right about the analogy. I may have gotten myself in more trouble than necessary. Analogies are normally very useful...oh well.
So am I correct that an absurdly minute amount of energy may come from the demagnetization of the magnet while...
Help me explain how the "magnet dropped down a copper tube" demo conserves energy
I've tried explaining to this person that the potential energy you give a magnet when you do work against gravity to raise it up to the copper tube is all the energy it has to deal with, and once dropped down it...