Strong magnet and was standing in metal shoes

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of levitating a person using a strong magnet while standing in metal shoes attached to a metal trashcan lid. Participants explore the theoretical and practical implications of this scenario, touching on concepts from classical mechanics and magnetic fields.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that holding the magnet would not allow for levitation, as the forces acting on the person would balance out according to Newton's third law.
  • Others propose that with a sufficiently strong magnetic field, it might be possible to levitate a body, citing the diamagnetic properties of water and referencing an example of a frog being levitated.
  • One participant suggests that the setup described by the original poster (OP) is unclear but expresses skepticism about its viability.
  • Another participant discusses the conditions under which levitation could occur, emphasizing the need for a strong magnetic force and careful calculations of weight and balance.
  • A later reply humorously suggests mounting the magnet above the person, indicating that this could lead to levitation, albeit with potential hazards.
  • One participant shares a personal experience of being immobilized by a strong magnet while wearing steel-tipped shoes, illustrating the practical effects of strong magnetic fields.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the feasibility of levitation in the described scenario, with multiple competing views on the conditions necessary for it to occur. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the practical implementation of the idea.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the specific setup and its implications, and there are unresolved questions about the necessary strength of the magnetic field and the balance of forces involved.

Slimjimjohnso
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If I had a strong magnet and was standing in metal shoes that were welded to a metal trashcan lid, could I levitate myself with said magnet?
 
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rofl no.

Holding the magnet will pull you down just as hard as the trashcan is pulling you up. Study classical mechanics, more specifically Newton's third law.
 


If you had a really strong B field you could levitate your body , Because water is pretty diamagnetic.


This shows a frog being levitated
 
Last edited by a moderator:


Curl said:
rofl no.

Holding the magnet will pull you down just as hard as the trashcan is pulling you up. Study classical mechanics, more specifically Newton's third law.

I think the OP means levitating above the magnet...
 


i have no idea what the set up is he's trying to describe but I'm pretty sure it won't work.
 


well yes and no if u had had a strong enough magnetic force ( magnet, eletromagnet, etc) and calculated you total wieght ( lol levitational apparattus inculded) and the magnetic force was immoble and account for the force to get you to the desired levitational height ( and you could some how balence your on your lids good luck ) yes it is possible but i wouldn't try it sounds dangerous the way u descirbe but its the same theory with maglev trains
 


Mount the magnet above you on the roof, climb into your iron shoes, and yes you could levitate--upside down and with a clang as your trash can hits the magnet. Salvage yards pick up scrap metal with giant magnets mounted on cranes.
 


I once crawled into a very large magnet (old cyclotron magnet, vertical gap ~80 cm, poletip diameter ~ 4 m, field 1.5 Tesla), and my steel-tip safety shoes stuck to the lower pole piece. I was immobilized until I took the shoes off.

Bob S
 

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