I’ve read somewhere that magnets dont do work so they dont use energy, but then how come they can move metallic objects? where is that coming from?
In: Physics
Magnets do not consume energy to function, but they do perform ‘work’ on nearby metal. When a magnet attracts something (another magnet or a piece of metal) the work done is force x distance. (Since force varies with distance, you’ll actually have to do an integral).
Work = energy. Energy is conserved because this energy is converted into heat and sound at the moment of impact. If either piece is covered in rubber or plastic, that material will deform and most of the energy is converted to heat. If it’s metal hitting metal, most of the energy will turn into the sound waves of a CLACK!
This amount of energy is also the same amount of energy (Ignoring friction) that you would need in order to pull the magnets apart again.
As to how the magnet pulls on things without consuming energy to function in the first place: it’s just a fundamental force of the universe, as others have said. You can’t break it down more than that.
Latest Answers