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Where can you buy something like that. A magnet is around 150$, but I have no idea where to get a copper tube of that thickness.

by deletes 13y ago

jules 13y ago
It also works with a small neodymium magnet which can be bought for less than $1 and a small copper plumbing tube which costs about the same.
- deletes 13y ago
  Of course, but the size makes it fun.
- dfox 13y ago
  With thin tube the effect is not noticeable on the outer surface. Essentially, thicker tube means more pronounced effect.
Loughla 13y ago
Not sure where to get one at that thickness or diameter, but a specialized plumbing supply company can get you most standard size and diameter of copper piping. That one is huge, though. In theory, this should work with smaller, but powerful magnets, and thinner tubes, correct?
- deletes 13y ago
  I don't think you can make a permanent magnet any stronger as it is. There is a certain limit. I think the size matters in this case. I can only find thin pipes for plumbing online, but I would really like the think one.
  - Loughla 13y ago
    You can't make a permanent magnet stronger, I believe. I worded that weird. I meant a smaller magnet, that is powerful, and a smaller tube. My brain doesn't work so well sometimes.
IgorPartola 13y ago
You really don't need anything as fancy. A small magnet and a narrow aluminum tube will do just fine. It won't be quite as impressive, but drop a pebble from the same height not through the tube and watch the delay for the magnet dropping. A four foot length of tube about 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter would do nicely. Edit: try cast iron if you must have a big pipe. It's likely to be much cheaper. The thickness shouldn't make much of a difference either, so maybe even a cooking pot with a cut off bottom would work.
- evan_ 13y ago
  it's a less impressive demo if the pipe is made out of something ferrous, like cast iron.
  - 72deluxe 13y ago
    But it would be amusing! "Watch this!" ....CLINK
- klodolph 13y ago
  Iron is ferromagnetic, so the magnet will stick to the tube and not fall through.
  - IgorPartola 13y ago
    Ah, but of course you are right. Then aluminum it is!
mark-r 13y ago
Would a thinner wall tube work just as well? It seems the effect depends on electrical conduction which should be sufficient even with much less copper. Or does it depend on how many flux lines are hitting the copper cross section?
ingebretsen 13y ago
I found a kit (magnet + copper tube) here: http://www.teachersource.com/product/645/electricity-magnetism?gclid=CL7Vncu-sbwCFYZafgodbDAASg http://www.teachersource.com/product/645/electricity-magneti... Not on the same scale, but appears to be designed to demonstrate the same concept.

Where can you buy something like that. A magnet is around 150$, but I have no idea where to get a copper tube of that thickness.

by deletes 13y ago

Where can you buy something like that. A magnet is around 150$, but I have no idea where to get a copper tube of that thickness.

jules 13y ago

It also works with a small neodymium magnet which can be bought for less than $1 and a small copper plumbing tube which costs about the same.

deletes 13y ago
Of course, but the size makes it fun.
dfox 13y ago
With thin tube the effect is not noticeable on the outer surface. Essentially, thicker tube means more pronounced effect.

Loughla 13y ago

Not sure where to get one at that thickness or diameter, but a specialized plumbing supply company can get you most standard size and diameter of copper piping. That one is huge, though. In theory, this should work with smaller, but powerful magnets, and thinner tubes, correct?

deletes 13y ago
I don't think you can make a permanent magnet any stronger as it is. There is a certain limit. I think the size matters in this case. I can only find thin pipes for plumbing online, but I would really like the think one.
- Loughla 13y ago
  You can't make a permanent magnet stronger, I believe. I worded that weird. I meant a smaller magnet, that is powerful, and a smaller tube. My brain doesn't work so well sometimes.

IgorPartola 13y ago

You really don't need anything as fancy. A small magnet and a narrow aluminum tube will do just fine. It won't be quite as impressive, but drop a pebble from the same height not through the tube and watch the delay for the magnet dropping. A four foot length of tube about 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter would do nicely. Edit: try cast iron if you must have a big pipe. It's likely to be much cheaper. The thickness shouldn't make much of a difference either, so maybe even a cooking pot with a cut off bottom would work.

evan_ 13y ago
it's a less impressive demo if the pipe is made out of something ferrous, like cast iron.
- 72deluxe 13y ago
  But it would be amusing! "Watch this!" ....CLINK
klodolph 13y ago
Iron is ferromagnetic, so the magnet will stick to the tube and not fall through.
- IgorPartola 13y ago
  Ah, but of course you are right. Then aluminum it is!

mark-r 13y ago

Would a thinner wall tube work just as well? It seems the effect depends on electrical conduction which should be sufficient even with much less copper. Or does it depend on how many flux lines are hitting the copper cross section?

ingebretsen 13y ago

I found a kit (magnet + copper tube) here: http://www.teachersource.com/product/645/electricity-magnetism?gclid=CL7Vncu-sbwCFYZafgodbDAASg http://www.teachersource.com/product/645/electricity-magneti... Not on the same scale, but appears to be designed to demonstrate the same concept.