Undergrad Create movement from leveraging the propagation of magmatism

[seb7]

TL;DR

Create movement from leveraging the propagation of magmatism

Imagine two electro-magnets about a metre apart aimed at each other. We turn one of them on, and are able to watch the magnetism propagate in slow motion. The moment the magnetism reaches the second electro-magnet, we turn this on (in a manner in which it attracts), and turn the first one off. Am I correct in that only the second one would move towards the first one?

As the magnetism from the second electro-magnetic propagates back to the first one, the first one in turned on, but in an opposite current, creating repulsion, while the other electro-magnetic is turn off. Am I correct in that now only the electro-magnetic which is on is being repelled?

ie. would putting this setup inside a box, and oscillating power in this manner (at around 149mhz?) generate one directional movement?

Seb

 

[PeterDonis]

would putting this setup inside a box, and oscillating power in this manner (at around 149mhz?) generate one directional movement?

If you mean, without emitting anything to conserve momentum, then no. You can't violate conservation laws.

 

[seb7]

If you mean, without emitting anything to conserve momentum, then no. You can't violate conservation laws.

yep I understand this, but where's the flaw?

 

[PeterDonis]

where's the flaw?

I don't know. Have you tried to actually do the math?

 

[seb7]

I don't know. Have you tried to actually do the math?

I don't know of any equations that take into account the propagation of these forces

 

[PeterDonis]

I don't know of any equations that take into account the propagation of these forces

Then your first step should be to learn them. Once you have, if you work through the math for the scenario you posed and still can't see how momentum is conserved, then you can start a new thread with a much more specific question based on actual math, and therefore a much better basis for PF discussion.

In the meantime, this thread is closed.