How to use magnets in levitation?

  • Context: High School 
  • Thread starter Thread starter woodturner
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SUMMARY

Magnetic levitation of a wooden lid over a box is achievable using permanent magnets without an electric power source. To implement this, line the rim of the box with north-up facing magnets and the edge of the lid with north-down facing magnets, ensuring the lid's magnet area is slightly smaller than that of the box. This configuration creates a shallow magnetic bowl that utilizes gravity to maintain horizontal positioning. However, the levitation stability can be compromised by misalignment, necessitating a circular lid design that spins to enhance stability.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of magnetic polarity and repulsion
  • Familiarity with permanent magnets and their configurations
  • Basic principles of gravity and stability in physical systems
  • Knowledge of rotational dynamics for stability enhancement
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  • Research the principles of magnetic levitation and stability
  • Explore different configurations of permanent magnets for levitation
  • Learn about the effects of alignment on magnetic systems
  • Investigate the use of rotational motion to stabilize levitating objects
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Inventors, hobbyists, and educators interested in practical applications of magnetic levitation and those exploring non-electrical levitation methods.

woodturner
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I wish to find out if its possible to float a wooden lid over a box using magnets. without using electric power source,if so how?
 
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It is possible - but tricky.

I would try lining the rim of the box with north-up facing magnets.
Then I would line the edge of the lid with north-down facing magnets.
The lid magnets should outline a slightly smaller area than the rim magnets - so when the lid is on, it is sitting in a shallow magnetic bowl. That way, gravity will assist in keeping the lid horizontally positioned.

The problem will be that the repulsive force keeping the lid floating can be readily disrupted by side forces created when everything isn't aligned well.
 
If I recall correctly you have to make the lid circular and spin it.
 

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