Uncovering the Mystery of Thompson's Flying Ring

AI Thread Summary
The flying ring demonstration involves an aluminum ring placed over a magnetic coil connected to AC power, where an oscillating magnetic field induces an electromotive force (emf) and current in the ring. This induced current interacts with the magnetic field, generating an upward force that propels the ring upwards. The magnetic field's strength decreases with height, introducing a horizontal component that also contributes to the upward force. Smaller aluminum rings fly higher due to their lighter weight, while copper rings, being denser, do not rise as high. The interaction between the induced current and the magnetic field is crucial to understanding the phenomenon.
skyliner34
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Can anyone explain how flying ring works?
like the demostration whith a magnetic coil connected to AC poer and an aluminum ring. the ring was placed on the top of the coil and althought aluminum is a non magnetic, the ring was thrown to the ceiling.
can anyone tell me why there was force on the ring
and
why the ring went up?
juz like this

WWW.physics.montana.edu/demonstrati...tyandmagnetism/demos/thompsonsflyingring.html
 
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The oscillating magnetic field induces an emf and thus a current in the ring.
The magnetic field exerts an upward force on the currentin the ring.
 
pam said:
The oscillating magnetic field induces an emf and thus a current in the ring.
The magnetic field exerts an upward force on the currentin the ring.

can u show me by darwing th diagram?
cuz i m not quiet get how it works
thanks for helping
 
I'll try to describe it in words. The magnetic field is mostly upward but it weakens as it gets higher, which leads a slight horizontal component to the field lines.
The oscillating B field induces current in the horizontal plane of the ring.
The horizontal component of B exerts an upward force on the current in the ring.
 
one more question
why a smaller aluminum ring will fly higher, and a copper will lower ?
 
Aluminum is lighter.
 

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