- #1
BrandSince85
- 3
- 0
I was inquiring about how much force will a 1000 lb pull force electromagnet pull at 4-6 inches away from the magnet
How much force can a 1000 lb electromagnet pull at 4-6 inches?
- Context: High School
- Thread starter BrandSince85
- Start date
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- Tags
- Electromagnet Field Pull
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around estimating the pulling force of a 1000 lb electromagnet when positioned 4-6 inches away from a cylindrical object. Participants explore the complexities of magnetic force calculations, including the influence of geometry and material properties.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Technical explanation
- Debate/contested
- Mathematical reasoning
Main Points Raised
- One participant inquires about the force exerted by a 1000 lb electromagnet at a distance of 4-6 inches.
- Another participant notes that the magnetic field's shape and strength are complex and cannot be precisely determined without extensive measurements.
- A participant describes the magnet as having a 6-inch radius and being cylindrical, pulling a similarly shaped object.
- Some participants suggest that the force could be roughly estimated at 360 lb and 250 lb at 4 and 6 inches, respectively, but emphasize that various factors could significantly alter these estimates.
- One participant mentions using the inverse square law for a rough calculation but acknowledges that the actual geometry of the magnet may differ, complicating the estimation.
- Another participant proposes that the magnet's flat pole pieces would affect the force calculation, suggesting that a ring magnet might be more appropriate for the scenario.
- Concerns are raised about the assumptions made in calculations, particularly regarding the shape of the magnet and the nature of the object being attracted.
- One participant suggests that direct measurement would be the most reliable method to determine the force, noting that the material of the object also plays a crucial role.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express varying opinions on the best approach to estimate the force, with no consensus reached on a definitive method or outcome. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact force that can be expected.
Contextual Notes
Participants highlight the limitations of their calculations, including assumptions about geometry and material properties, which may not hold true in all scenarios.
- #2
AJ Bentley
- 667
- 0
The precise shape and strength of the magnetic field will depend in a complex way on the shape and materials of the magnet.
There is no way of knowing.
There is no way of knowing.
- #3
BrandSince85
- 3
- 0
it is a 6 inch radius and it is cylinder shaped pulling a 4 inch cylinder shaped object
- #4
AJ Bentley
- 667
- 0
AJ Bentley said:
That's science-speak for 'impossibly complicated and impossible to know without doing lots and lots and lots of careful measurements and probably not even then'
- #5
my_wan
- 868
- 3
A quick guesstimation, involving the simply geometric assumptions and properties, I would put the force at 4 and 6 inches at 360 lb and 250 lb respectively. Of course, as already stated, materials, configurations, etc., could be chosen to blow this out of the water.
Assuming the magnet is a sphere with a 6 inch radius, the 1000 lb force is effective at 6 inches from the magnet. Thus 4 and 6 inches from the magnet becomes 10 and 12 inches respectively. Simplest force law representation is the inverse square law, m/r^2. Since m/r^2 = 1000 where r = 6 at the magnet surface, then m = 3600. Now solve for other r. Note: this is only roughly valid in the units provided, and a slew of other assumptions about geometry and material properties. But probably good enough for many purposes.
Assuming the magnet is a sphere with a 6 inch radius, the 1000 lb force is effective at 6 inches from the magnet. Thus 4 and 6 inches from the magnet becomes 10 and 12 inches respectively. Simplest force law representation is the inverse square law, m/r^2. Since m/r^2 = 1000 where r = 6 at the magnet surface, then m = 3600. Now solve for other r. Note: this is only roughly valid in the units provided, and a slew of other assumptions about geometry and material properties. But probably good enough for many purposes.
- #6
AJ Bentley
- 667
- 0
Yea, my first thought was to attempt a simple 1/r^2 solution but I decided the likely geometry of a magnet would be flat pole pieces. The approximation to a sphere is just too wild for my taste.
I should imagine this is a ring magnet anyway. The field would be highly localised.
I should imagine this is a ring magnet anyway. The field would be highly localised.
- #7
my_wan
- 868
- 3
AJ Bentley said:
Yes, if the magnet is flat, and the 1000 lb pull is at the flat surface, you've blown my calculation out of the water
- #8
BrandSince85
- 3
- 0
the magnet is 6 inch radius flat surface it has a pull force of 1000 lbs kinda shaped like a can and the object it is pulling would be on my first guess a iron core object but i am open to any suggestions i just wanted to have a good idea of how much because it cost a lot to buy the magnet
- #9
- 12,178
- 186
I think the best way to answer this question would be to do a measurement. Also, the force will depend on the material in the object being attracted to the magnet.
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