Q&A: EM Orbits & Tides: Attraction & Repulsion?

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SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the dynamics of electromagnetic (EM) forces between magnets, specifically addressing whether magnets can orbit each other due to EM attraction or repulsion. It concludes that the orbits of magnets are indeed governed solely by EM forces, independent of their masses. The conversation also explores the potential for tidal effects generated by EM attraction and the feasibility of orbital paths resulting from EM repulsion between like-charged magnets, highlighting the unique nature of magnetic interactions.

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  • Understanding of electromagnetic forces
  • Basic knowledge of magnetism and magnetic poles
  • Familiarity with orbital mechanics
  • Concept of tidal forces in physics
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  • Research the principles of electromagnetic force and its applications in magnetism
  • Explore the concept of tidal forces in gravitational systems
  • Investigate the dynamics of orbital mechanics in non-gravitational contexts
  • Study the behavior of magnets under varying conditions of charge and motion
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Physicists, educators, and students interested in advanced magnetism, electromagnetic theory, and the comparative study of gravitational and electromagnetic interactions.

Terdbergler
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1. Can a magnet orbit another magnet (of opposite charge) despite the fact that their masses are insufficient to generate the orbit; i.e., their orbits are caused only by the EM force?

2. Would/could the EM attraction between them generate tidal effects on the two magnets?

3. If you had two magnets with like charges (such that there is a repulsive force between them), is there a possible speed&trajectory that one of them could assume relative the to other such that it would yield an orbital path? And if so, what about weird reversed tidal forces (flattening instead of elongating)?

The 1st 2 Qs ask whether you can have EM-attraction orbits & tides in the way that we already know we can have gravity-attraction orbits & tides. The 3rd Q asks whether we can have EM-repulsion orbits & tides?
 
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Magnets always have a north and a south - there are no "magnetic charges".
 
Terdbergler said:
1. their orbits are caused only by the EM force?
Yes, Orbits of a magnet depend on EM force.
Orbits of a magnet does not depend on mass.
 

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