Do magnets attract magnetic objects of different mass with equal force?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion clarifies that magnets do not attract magnetic objects of different masses with varying forces when placed at the same distance. The magnetic force is independent of the mass of the objects involved, contrary to gravitational force, which varies with mass. The participants emphasized that the magnetic force can be approximated by considering the interaction of magnetic dipoles, but this simplification neglects the influence of neighboring magnets. Thus, the formula for magnetic forces remains constant regardless of the mass of the magnetic objects.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of magnetic dipoles and their interactions
  • Basic knowledge of magnetic force principles
  • Familiarity with gravitational force equations
  • Concept of distance in force calculations
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the principles of magnetic dipole interactions
  • Study the mathematical formulation of magnetic forces
  • Explore the differences between magnetic and gravitational forces
  • Investigate the effects of neighboring magnets on magnetic force
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching magnetism, and anyone interested in the fundamental principles of magnetic forces and their applications.

jonnyk
Messages
81
Reaction score
0
Hi,

Doesn't a magnet attract objects of different mass(consider Point mass), but placed at the same distance from it and of the same magnetic substance, with different forces, similar as is the case with gravitational force with Force=G*mass1*mass2/distance between them^2 ?
For example if an "a" mg iron filing is placed "x" cm from a magnet, will the magnet produce the same or a different force on it as it would on a filing with "b" mg, also placed "x" cm from the magnet?
If different what is the formula for magnetic forces between varying masses?
Thanks.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Permanent magnets you mean? Yeah you can sort of think of a "magnet" as a collection of smaller magnetic dipoles and then superpose them, except you must consider that neighboring magnets influence each dipole. But neglecting this will give you a crude approximation.
 
The magnetic force does not depend on the mass of either object.
 

Similar threads

Undergrad Is this analogy between Magnetic Force and Gravitational Force accurate in helping to understand what contributes more to a stronger magnetic force?
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
2K
Undergrad Magnetic dipole and a torque
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Undergrad How Do Magnetic Forces Differ Between Magnets and Wires?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad Which does more work: gravitation or electromagnetism?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
High School Magnetic force driving a small iron ball
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Graduate Is the Configuration of Magnetic Fields Only a Convention?
  • · Replies 60 ·
3
Replies
60
Views
5K
Undergrad Magnet's attraction force on a piece of iron
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Graduate Magnetic attraction and repulsion equivalence
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
12K
Graduate Conservation of Energy on Current-Carrying Wire in Magnetic Field
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Undergrad Magnetic field when the area of the plates of a capacitor increases
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K