Inhibit repulsion between two like poles

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of magnetic shielding, specifically focusing on the use of materials like MuMetal to inhibit the interaction between two magnets. Participants explore the mechanisms behind magnetic shielding, the effects of superconductors, and the potential applications of these concepts.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants inquire whether the inhibition of interaction between two magnets is due to their attraction to MuMetal, questioning if magnets would stick to the MuMetal sheet instead of repelling each other.
  • There is a suggestion that magnetic shielding works by attracting and redirecting magnetic field lines, implying that ferrous materials are necessary for this effect.
  • One participant raises the question of whether superconducting materials could provide shielding without attracting magnets, speculating that magnets would be repelled by superconductors.
  • Another participant expresses uncertainty about superconductors but suggests that they likely repel magnetic fields, leading to a potential repulsion of magnets.
  • There is a request for clarification on the application of the discussed concepts, indicating that understanding the context might lead to better solutions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of familiarity with superconductors and magnetic shielding, leading to some uncertainty about the mechanisms involved. There is no consensus on the effectiveness of different materials in blocking interactions between magnets without attraction.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes assumptions about the properties of materials and their interactions with magnetic fields, which may not be fully explored or defined. The effectiveness of superconductors and the specific conditions under which they operate remain unresolved.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those exploring concepts in magnetism, materials science, and applications of magnetic shielding in various contexts.

john1111
Messages
3
Reaction score
1
Please excuse the lay terms that will follow.

I have been doing some reading on "magnetic shielding" and have come across alloys such as MuMetal which have high permeability and so can block interaction between two magnets.

My question;
  • Is this inhibition of interaction between the two magnets a result of their attraction to the MuMetal?
  • Will they stick to the MuMetal sheet now instead of being attracted or repulsed to each other?
  • If so, are there any materials that will block interaction between two magnets but still not attract them?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
john1111 said:
Please excuse the lay terms that will follow.

I have been doing some reading on "magnetic shielding" and have come across alloys such as MuMetal which have high permeability and so can block interaction between two magnets.

My question;
  • Is this inhibition of interaction between the two magnets a result of their attraction to the MuMetal?
  • Will they stick to the MuMetal sheet now instead of being attracted or repulsed to each other?
  • If so, are there any materials that will block interaction between two magnets but still not attract them?
Welcome to the PF. :smile:

Magnetic shielding (not the superconductor kind) works by attracting and re-directing the magnetic field lines. A material needs to be ferrous to do this, so yes, magnets will stick to such materials.

http://www.magnetic-shield.com/index.html
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: john1111
I see, thank you for your reply!

Would the super conductor kind of shielding work without magnets being attracted to it?
 
john1111 said:
I see, thank you for your reply!

Would the super conductor kind of shielding work without magnets being attracted to it?
I'm not that familiar with superconductors, but since they repel magnetic fields, I would guess that the magnet would be repelled from the superconductor, but I could be wrong.
 
BTW, can you say what your application is? Maybe there is a better way to go about it... :smile:
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: john1111
Thank you for taking the time to look that up, that is a very interesting link!

As for application I don't really have one as of yet, my mind tends to wonder and think about seemingly random topics.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: berkeman

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 21 ·
Replies
21
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
8K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K