- #1
Ntstanch
- 82
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I was wondering why, when I arrange six cylindrical magnets, about 1inch long and 1/5th inch wide each (neodymium magnets) in a hexagon shape by arranging them into a chain of N-S-N-S-N-S (top or bottom... with the other end obviously being opposite in arrangement) and connecting them into a hexagon shaped ring, they hold their form. I have some theories which hold (held) up well until I reach(ed) a dead end (dead due to insufficient comprehension, not due to it being that 'okay, this is wrong' death)... but what I want is something to help prove myself wrong outright concerning my theory, or just make SOME form of progress. However, after all this time (it's been about 1.5 years since I hit a 'wall') asking a physics professor or other students no progress has been made (I go to Michigan Tech).
When trying to visualize this model: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/VFPt_Solenoid_correct2.svg ... with how the magnets are arranged, I can't visualize a reason for why they hold together so well. It is somewhat tricky to get them into the hexagon shape, but once established they can be easily collapsed with just two fingers and minimal force, or, they can repel as though you were trying to force two weak repelling poled magnets together. So, what would really be appreciated is as much explanation concerning why they would hold together so well. You can toss the ring into the air and catch it, and it is still in the hexagon shape... like I said, the arrangement is, for the most part, very stable. I just can't visualize why.
When trying to visualize this model: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0d/VFPt_Solenoid_correct2.svg ... with how the magnets are arranged, I can't visualize a reason for why they hold together so well. It is somewhat tricky to get them into the hexagon shape, but once established they can be easily collapsed with just two fingers and minimal force, or, they can repel as though you were trying to force two weak repelling poled magnets together. So, what would really be appreciated is as much explanation concerning why they would hold together so well. You can toss the ring into the air and catch it, and it is still in the hexagon shape... like I said, the arrangement is, for the most part, very stable. I just can't visualize why.