Gaussian Rifle neodymium magnets

Ask questions about projects relating to: aerodynamics or hydrodynamics, astronomy, chemistry, electricity, electronics, physics, or engineering.

Moderators: AmyCowen, kgudger, bfinio, MadelineB, Moderators

Locked
Gabe T
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Sep 08, 2013 11:06 am
Occupation: Student: 8th grade
Project Question: Do a science fair project. Any topic, at least ten hours of work.
Project Due Date: November 26th
Project Status: I am just starting

Gaussian Rifle neodymium magnets

Post by Gabe T »

Hi all. I have a bunch of neodymium magnets at my house. They are a 1/2 in a diameter but only 1/4 in width. If I stick two of them together for every stage in the Gaussian Rifle, will it affect anything? Or will it be normal.
theborg
Former Expert
Posts: 360
Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 12:26 pm
Occupation: Space Test Analyst
Project Question: "To explain all nature is too difficult a task for any one man. 'Tis much better to do a little with certainty and leave the rest for others that come after you, than to explain all things by conjecture without making sure of anything." - Sir Isaac Newton
Project Due Date: N/A
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Gaussian Rifle neodymium magnets

Post by theborg »

Gabe T,

Welcome to science buddies and thank you for the question.

When one magnet is stuck completely to the other such that the south pole of one magnet is connected to the north pole of the other, the magnetic field strength of the two magnets are added together. However, the magnitude (how far each field reaches) of the second one will be one magnet length farther away than the first.

The result is that two magnets together are stronger than one, but two magnets will not be twice as strong as one. Additionally three will be stronger than two but not three times as strong as one. Eventually, as you add stages, you will get to the point that the field strength of the last stage has no additive effect on the first stage.
Hope this helps.

theborg
----------
Science Buddies science fair guide:
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_guide_index.shtml

Science Buddies project ideas:
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas.shtml
Locked

Return to “Grades 6-8: Physical Science”