The repelling force of a superconductor how strong?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature and strength of the repelling force between a superconductor and a magnet, particularly in the context of magnetic levitation and flux pinning. Participants explore the underlying principles of magnetic fields, induction, and the behavior of superconductors in relation to magnets.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that a magnet levitates above a superconductor and that the superconductor can shield two magnets from each other, while both magnets experience repulsion from the superconductor.
  • Another participant explains that when a magnet is brought near a superconductor, an induced current is generated in the superconductor, which creates a magnetic field that opposes the magnet's field.
  • Questions are raised about whether the opposing magnetic field from the superconductor is equivalent in strength to that of the magnet itself.
  • There is mention of Lenz's Law and its relevance to the interaction between magnets and conductive materials, with some uncertainty expressed about the nature of the interaction being both attractive and repulsive depending on the movement direction.
  • A participant seeks clarification on whether the net repulsion force between two shielded magnets (with a superconductor in between) is the same as that between unshielded magnets.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and interpretation of the principles involved, with no consensus reached on the exact nature or strength of the repelling force between the superconductor and the magnets. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the comparison of forces in shielded versus unshielded scenarios.

Contextual Notes

Participants acknowledge the complexity of the interactions and the need for a deeper understanding of the principles of electromagnetism and superconductivity. There are references to specific laws (Lenz's and Faraday's) that may influence the discussion but are not fully resolved in the context of the questions posed.

leviterande
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Hi, I posted this earlier in what I thought to be the "General Physics" section, but since it got deleted and I was notified that I posted in "GD" which is (general discussion?) I realized I did this by mistake so I am sorry.

--------------------------
to my question
Hi,

What I learned:
A magnet levitates and gets kind of "fixed" on a superconductor. Also the superconductor can shield two magnets on either sides(so the 2 magnets can't see each other). Both magnets HOWEVER get repelled by the superconductor.

I have been searching and googling for weeks to find an answer concerning the nature of this "repelling force of the superconductor":


Is the repelling force between superconductor & magnet, of the same magnitude and strength as if we were to replace the superconductor with a second identical magnet and facing them north-north ??

I am really confused and I am having a huge headache from sleepless nights of searching and thinking. Your help would be more than great

/
Levi
 
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If the superconductor starts off with no initial current, and a magnet is brought near, then one will be induced in the superconductor. (see Faraday's law of induction). This current that is now set up in the superconductor will persist with little to no resistance (a property of a superconductor). This current will also produce a magnetic field that opposes the original one of the magnet.

In reference to being 'fixed' to a superconductor the only thing I could come up with would be Flux Pinning. Which is basically magnetic field lines being trapped inside the superconductor.
 
Thanx a lot Vantenkeist for the reply, so let me see if I understand this right:

You said: the current will induce a magnetic field which "opposes" the one of the magnet.

1- By "opposes" do you mean that they kind of repel each other?

2-How strong is "this induced magnetic field", is it equal to that of the magnet?

Thanx
 
leviterande said:
Thanx a lot Vantenkeist for the reply, so let me see if I understand this right:

You said: the current will induce a magnetic field which "opposes" the one of the magnet.

1- By "opposes" do you mean that they kind of repel each other?

2-How strong is "this induced magnetic field", is it equal to that of the magnet?

Thanx

Do you know of Lenz's/Faraday's Law?

It would help that you learn the simple stuff first before jumping on "superconductors".

Zz.
 
Yes I know of Lenz law. As a magnet moves over a conductive material like copper or aluminum current is induced(eddy currents) and therefore magnetic field is created that interacts with the magnetic field of the magnet. How exactly it interacts with the copper is not very understood by me. a lot of things is said on the net. But,It looks like its a phenomena of both repulsion AND attraction at the same time depending on the direction of movement. So at the leading edge of the moving magnet there is attraction and on the trailing edge there is repulsion which will induce a net force of rotating nature as can be demonstrated by rotating an aluminum cylinder under a magnet. Cog wheel relationship in other words(Im not 100% sure)


Its a little different for superconductors... as said I m interested in knowing if the net repulsion force between 2 shielded equal magnets(i.e Superc. wall in between ) is the same as between the same magnets UNSHIELDED?

Thanx
 
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