Ballistic Lenz's Law: Magnet Induced Current in Copper Tube

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the potential effects of a magnet moving rapidly through a copper tube, specifically whether the induced current from Lenz's Law could generate enough heat to melt or vaporize the tube. The scope includes theoretical exploration and experimental implications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Experimental/applied

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that if a magnet approaches or enters a copper tube at a sufficient speed, the induced current could be high enough to melt or vaporize the tube.
  • Another participant expresses interest in the idea as a potential experiment.
  • One participant elaborates that "fast enough" should be interpreted as the speed necessary to melt the tube, noting that if the tube is not securely held, it could be dragged along by the magnet before melting occurs.
  • This participant also mentions that the tube could experience heating due to compression against its mountings, combining with the I²R effects to potentially melt the copper.
  • A later reply acknowledges the point about the tube being dragged and the effects of compression heating.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants appear to agree on the possibility of the induced current causing significant heating, but there is no consensus on the specific conditions or outcomes, and multiple views on the mechanisms involved are presented.

Contextual Notes

The discussion does not clarify the specific parameters required for the magnet's speed or the conditions of the copper tube, leaving assumptions about the setup and outcomes unresolved.

gildomar
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If a magnet was going fast enough as it approached/entered a copper tube, could the current induced in the tube via Lenz's Law be high enough to melt or even vaporize the tube?
 
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sounds like a cool experiment
 
Yes. Because “fast enough” must be interpreted as “fast enough to melt the tube”.
If the tube was not firmly held it might be dragged with the magnet before it could melt.
It is also possible that the copper tube would be pressed against it's solid mountings with sufficient force to heat the material by compression. The compressive and I2R effects would combine to melt the copper tube.
 
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Baluncore said:
Yes. Because “fast enough” must be interpreted as “fast enough to melt the tube”.
If the tube was not firmly held it might be dragged with the magnet before it could melt.
It is also possible that the copper tube would be pressed against it's solid mountings with sufficient force to heat the material by compression. The compressive and I2R effects would combine to melt the copper tube.

Good point; I hadn't considered about the tube possibly being dragged along, or the compression heating.
 

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