The distance at which magnet can attract

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In summary, magnets can attract each other over a distance, with the force of attraction decreasing as the distance between them increases. This is why magnets don't usually fly across the room to each other. The force of attraction falls off with the square root of the distance, and at larger distances, it falls off with 1/d^3. This is why it is usually bad science when a villain uses a super strong magnet in movies.
  • #1
alaindvs
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Is it possible for one magnet to attract another over a distance of 1m? To specify, if magnet 1 was at point A on the East side of the ruler, and magnet 2 was stationary at point B on the West side of the ruler. Could magnet 2 attract magnet 1 so much that both were bound together at point B on the West Side of the Ruler?
 
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  • #2
Yes, it is.
 
  • #3
what size of magnet would i need? and would it have to be electromagnetic
 
  • #4
Sure. In fact, assuming the poles are oriented correctly, the magnets already attract each other from any distance. The force of the attraction falls off at a distance though. If you double the distance the attractive force decreases by 4x. So after a bit the force can no longer overcome friction. This is why magnets don't usually go flying across the room to another one.
 
  • #5
Drakkith said:
If you double the distance the attractive force decreases by 4x
Ooouch? Are you quite sure that number? Maybe rather 8?
 
  • #6
xts said:
Ooouch? Are you quite sure that number? Maybe rather 8?

I didn't think so. It falls off with the square root correct? Doubling the distance is 4 times less, quadrupaling the distance would be 16 times less, and etc right?
 
  • #7
Put a REALLY big magnet at B and a light one at A :smile:
 
  • #8
Drakkith said:
I didn't think so. It falls off with the square root correct? Doubling the distance is 4 times less, quadrupaling the distance would be 16 times less, and etc right?

So when you have seen in a movie the bad evil guy using his super ultra magneto-gizmo weapon it usually is bad science.
 
  • #9
It falls off with the square root correct?
Not quite correct. At larger distances (comparing to magnet size) falls with [itex]1/d^3[/itex]. Doubling the distance makes 8 times smaller force.
Guess why?
 
  • #10
xts said:
Not quite correct. At larger distances (comparing to magnet size) falls with [itex]1/d^3[/itex]. Doubling the distance makes 8 times smaller force.
Guess why?

Ah ok. I must have been thinking in 2d. :biggrin:

So when you have seen in a movie the bad evil guy using his super ultra magneto-gizmo weapon it usually is bad science.

Usually yes. Although it depends on the circumstances in the film.
 

FAQ: The distance at which magnet can attract

What is the maximum distance at which a magnet can attract another object?

The maximum distance at which a magnet can attract another object depends on various factors such as the strength of the magnet, the type of material it is attracting, and the surrounding environment. However, on average, the maximum distance for a magnet to attract another object is around 10 times its own length.

How does the strength of a magnet affect its ability to attract objects from a distance?

The strength of a magnet is directly proportional to its ability to attract objects from a distance. This means that the stronger the magnet, the greater its magnetic field and the longer the distance at which it can attract objects. However, factors such as the type of material being attracted and the environment can also play a role in the overall attraction distance.

Can a magnet attract objects from a distance through different materials?

Yes, a magnet can attract objects from a distance through different materials, but the distance at which this can occur may vary. For example, a magnet may be able to attract an object through a thin piece of paper at a certain distance, but the distance may be shorter if the object is being attracted through a thicker material such as wood or metal.

Is there a limit to the distance at which a magnet can attract another object?

Yes, there is a limit to the distance at which a magnet can attract another object. This limit is determined by the strength of the magnet and the type of material being attracted. Once the distance exceeds a certain point, the magnetic field becomes too weak to attract the object.

How does the shape of a magnet affect its attraction distance?

The shape of a magnet can affect its attraction distance in various ways. For example, a bar magnet has a longer attraction distance compared to a horseshoe magnet due to its longer magnetic field. Additionally, the shape of the object being attracted can also play a role in the overall attraction distance, as the magnetic field may interact differently with different shapes.

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