Coin Attraction: Understanding Magnetism and Its Effects

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the conditions under which a coin will remain attached to a magnet, particularly focusing on the properties of different types of coins, such as their magnetic content. Participants also touch on related concepts of magnetism and gravity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that most US coins are non-magnetic and will only stay on a magnet if they are directly attached or glued.
  • One participant inquires specifically about the behavior of an iron coin in relation to magnetism.
  • Another participant explains that a coin will fall from a magnet when the gravitational force exceeds the magnetic force, which depends on factors such as distance from the magnet, magnet strength, and the iron content of the coin.
  • A participant provides a detailed explanation of why the sky appears blue, although this seems to diverge from the main topic of magnetism.
  • One participant hints that the discussion may relate to the International Young Physicists' Tournament (IYPT).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the magnetic properties of coins, with no consensus reached on the specific conditions under which a coin will remain attached to a magnet.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the specific types of coins being discussed and their material properties, as well as the implications of gravitational and magnetic forces in this context.

elnaz
Messages
3
Reaction score
0
hi,guys
do you know when the coin will fall from a magnet and when would it stay on it?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Since most US coins are non magnetic I would have to say the coin will only stay on the magnet when it is on top or attached with adhesive. Otherwise it will fall off. ;-)
 
sorry,but i want to mention this situation for an iron coin?:smile:
 


why is the sky blue?
 


elnaz said:
hi,guys
do you know when the coin will fall from a magnet and when would it stay on it?
When the force of gravity is smaller than the force exerted by the magnet, it will fall. That will depend on the distance from the magnet, the strength of the magnet, and the percentage iron content. (100% iron coins will rust and disintegrate pretty quickly, I think, so I don't think you can get coins out of them.)
elnaz said:
why is the sky blue?
Because light is scattered by particles or groups of particles the same size as their wavelength. Most of the particles in the atmosphere are either smaller than visible light's wavelength, or only just big enough. This means only the smaller wavelengths have any scattering, i.e. blue and purple. This scattering across the sky makes the sky look blue. The reason the sky doesn't look purple is because there is less purple in sunlight and we find it harder to see than blue. This explains other effects too. The reason the sun looks yellow is because the blue light is scattered out of the direct sunlight across the sky leaving a shift in the average colour of the sunlight. This effect is especially pronounced when the sunlight has to go through a long distance of atmosphere, e.g. at sunsets. This means only the longest wavelengths can get through i.e. red and orange light. You can see the same effect with silica aerosol, too.
 
elnaz said:
hi,guys
do you know when the coin will fall from a magnet and when would it stay on it?
You're obviously working on IYPT.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
3K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
12K