Force on an iron ball due to a dipole magnet

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the force experienced by a soft iron ball positioned above a rectangular dipole magnet. The magnetic field strength is given by the equation B = (μ₀ / 4π) * (m / d³), where m represents the dipole moment. The participant recognizes that while the force equation F = qv x B is not applicable due to the ball's fixed position, they propose that the iron ball behaves like a dipole itself, leading to the use of the dipole-dipole interaction formula Fₘₐg = (-3μ₀m₁m₂ / 4πr⁴) to describe the magnetic force between the ball and the magnet.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of magnetic dipole moments and their calculation.
  • Familiarity with the magnetic field equations, specifically B = (μ₀ / 4π) * (m / d³).
  • Knowledge of dipole-dipole interactions and the associated force equation Fₘₐg = (-3μ₀m₁m₂ / 4πr⁴).
  • Basic principles of electromagnetism, particularly the Lorentz force law.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the calculation of magnetic dipole strength (p) and its significance in magnetic interactions.
  • Explore the implications of fixed magnetic fields on ferromagnetic materials like soft iron.
  • Study the effects of distance on magnetic force using the dipole-dipole interaction formula.
  • Investigate practical applications of dipole magnets in engineering and physics.
USEFUL FOR

Students studying electromagnetism, physicists analyzing magnetic interactions, and engineers working with magnetic materials and devices.

cereal9
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Homework Statement


A soft iron ball is fixed a distance d above the pole of a rectangular dipole magnet which is permanently magnetized. What is the force the iron ball feels due to the magnetic field?

The dimensions of the dipole magnet are a x a x b, where a < b

Homework Equations



B= \frac{μ_0}{4π}\frac{m}{d^3}

Dipole Moment:
m = pl
p = magnetic dipole strength (how is this even calculated?)
l = displacement vector between poles

The Attempt at a Solution



I know the following:

F = qv x B

But I don't think I can use that because there's no velocity as the iron ball is fixed.

The ball has to feel some kind of force, though that formula suggests it isn't possible. It seems to me that if I hung a ball from a string, the tension in the string would increase if a magnet was placed below the iron ball. Is there some concept I'm not understanding, here?
 
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After thinking about it, I think that with the magnetic field from the dipole magnet pulling charge to one spot in the soft iron, that too would act like a dipole so I'd be looking for dipole-dipole forces.

F_{mag}=\frac{-3μ_0m_1m_2}{4πr^4}

Where m1 and m2 are the masses of the soft iron ball and the aforementioned dipole magnet?
 

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