Forces between to permanent magnets

[willyd]

Forces between two permanent magnets

I am new to the concept of magnetic field strength and the behavior of field lines etc, so please correct me if any of my thinking is incorrect.

I want to increase the force between two permanent magnets that are at a distance apart. At the moment due to the inverse cube relationship approximation with distance the calculated force between the magnets is almost negligible. I was wondering what would happen if I placed a weak, long electro magnet (air core) in-between the two permanent magnets.

Could the electro magnet work to direct magnetic flux from one magnet to another?

Would this act to amplify the force between the two permanent magnets?

Any insight appreciated

 

[Simon Bridge]

due to the inverse cube relationship approximation with distance

I only get an inverse square law...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Force_between_magnets#Force_between_two_bar_magnets

Could the electro magnet work to direct magnetic flux from one magnet to another?

Not really - but a long bit of iron would.