Force on a ferromagnetic object

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    Ferromagnetic Force
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SUMMARY

The force exerted on a ferromagnetic object by a magnetic field created by a solenoid is influenced by the gradient of the magnetic field, which complicates calculations. The net force on the object arises from the difference in magnetic forces at each pole, necessitating the induction of a magnetic dipole within the ferromagnetic material. For practical applications, such as building a DIY coilgun with 8J of energy stored in capacitors, trial-and-error methods are often employed to estimate the force accurately.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of magnetic field gradients
  • Knowledge of magnetic dipole induction
  • Familiarity with solenoid construction and operation
  • Basic principles of energy storage in capacitors
NEXT STEPS
  • Research methods to calculate magnetic field gradients in solenoids
  • Explore techniques for inducing magnetic dipoles in ferromagnetic materials
  • Learn about the design and optimization of DIY coilguns
  • Investigate safety measures when working with high-energy capacitors
USEFUL FOR

Electronics enthusiasts, DIY project builders, and anyone interested in the principles of electromagnetism and coilgun construction.

mahela007
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How can one calculate (even as a rough estimate) the force exerted on a ferromagnetic object by a magnetic field created by a solenoid? Thanks
 
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With great difficulty, since it depends on the gradient of the field, which is not simple for a solenoid.
 
oh well..
Just for the sake of knowledge, does the gradient of the field come into play because all magnets have two poles and because the net force depends on the difference between the force on each end?
 
Yes - although in this case it's more complicated, since you need to induce a magnetic dipole in the object.
 
well, I asked this question because I'm building a simple DIY coilgun.. (just 8J of energy stored in the caps). So I'm going to have to resort to trial-and-error. Thanks for your help.
 

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