Defying Gravity - Magnet Trapped in Copper Tube Experiment

Hey, welcome back to Kids Fun Science! Today, we're diving into a cool `eddy current experiment` that demonstrates fascinating `physics` principles. Observe the surprising `slow falling` of magnets through a copper tube, a perfect example of `lenz's law` and the interaction with an induced `magnetic field`. When a magnet moves near a conductor, circulating electrical currents (eddy currents) are created in the conductor. These currents create a magnetic field that opposes the field of the original magnet. The stronger the magnet the greater the effect. A strong magnet dropped inside a non-magnetic conducting pipe like copper or aluminum will fall very slowly. Defying Gravity - Magnet Trapped in Copper Tube Experiment Eddy Currents Tube Experiment Made for teachers and parents Copper tube with Neodymium Magnets Eddy Currents in a Copper pipe Supplies Copper pipe 1In. X 2ft. - https://amzn.to/2XWKniq DIYMAG Refrigerator Magnets - https://amzn.to/2KtvRXn Kids Fun Science On-line Store (All money goes back into the schools) https://teespring.com/stores/kids-fun-science like iron, Copper is not a magnetic material, so the magnet won’t stick to it, therefore a magnetic attraction cannot be the reason for the slowing of the fall of the magnet. When I drop a non-magnetic piece in the copper tube it drops much faster, so we know a magnet must have a role in this experiment even though threw magnet is not physically attracted to the copper tube. When we look down on the copper tube as the magnet is falling, you can see the magnet never touches the sides of the copper tube, therefore friction does not have a role in slowing down the magnet. When the magnet drops in the copper tube, it produces a magnetic field and as it falls the magnetic field changes. This introduces a magnetic current as predicted by Faraday’s Law. Faraday’s Law states: Any change in the magnetic environment of the copper tube will cause a voltage to be “induced” in the copper tubing. This induced voltage creates electric currents in the copper called Eddy Currents. This phenomenon is known as Lenz’s Law. The magnetic field induced in the metal attracts the falling magnet, creating resistance. This resistance is what slowed down your magnet. As your magnet slows down, it stops generating as much current, which reduces the resistance acting on the magnet’s movement. Gravity speeds the magnet back up again until it reaches a happy medium speed. Basically, your magnet is creating a whirlpool of electrons around it as it falls through your pipe. eddy current experiment eddy currents eddy current tube middle school science Eddy Currents in a Copper pipe eddy currents demonstration kids fun science