Trying to understand Magnetic Braking

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Magnetic braking occurs when a magnet moves across a conductive non-magnetic metal, generating eddy currents due to Lenz's Law. The resistance felt when pushing the magnet is a result of energy conversion, where kinetic energy is transformed into thermal energy. If the conductive plate is insulated, the generated current cannot flow, leading to heat generation instead of electricity. The heat arises from the friction of electrons attempting to move but being impeded by existing electrons. Thus, magnetic braking effectively functions like a flat electrical generator, converting motion into heat through resistance.
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I understand that it happens when you move a magnet across the surface of a conductive non-magnetic metal like aluminum or copper because of magnetic eddies explained by Lenz's Law.

What I don't understand is where the energy of the momentum is going. If I were pushing a magnet across an aluminum sheet then where does my effort go when I'm feeling the resistance?
 
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That's CURRENTly a very HOT question.:rolleyes:
 
So you're saying that it creates an electrical current and generates heat right?

It's kind of like a flat electrical generator right?

If the aluminum plate was insulated then the current would have nowhere to go. Would it then just create heat? Wouldn't it need electrical current flowing through it so that the natural resistance of the metal would create heat?
 
Ok, so it definitely creates heat instead of electricity if it's insulated. So the heat comes from the "friction" of the electrons trying to go somewhere but can't because of the other electrons that are already there?
 

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