I understand the basics of magnetism; charge, fields, etc, but I don’t understand how a magnetic field can apply force seemingly forever.
For example, if I bring a magnet close to another magnet, that other magnet will eventually be drawn to the magnet in my hand, causing it to move. That kinetic energy “is caused by the magnetic attraction” but how?
If I keep my hand between two magnets, they will squeeze against my hand for seemingly forever. If I were to squeeze my own hand, I’ll get tired eventually from the exertion, but magnets don’t “get tired.” Are magnets somehow infinite energy machines? I’d assume they aren’t, but where is this energy coming from and why does it seem endless?
Edit: yes I understand the difference between “force” and “energy,” defining those terms doesn’t actually answer my question!
In: Physics
You may have seen explanations of gravity as distortions in the “fabric” of space, where massive objects cause a greater “dip” in this fabric, and objects moving toward them effectively fall “downhill”. It may help to think of magnets and magnetism in the same way.
If you were to roll a ball downhill, you’d be unlikely to ask why the ball and the bottom of the hill are propelling toward each other, but in some ways it’s the same thing.
Magnets aren’t propelling themselves toward each other, so much as “rolling downhill” until they collide.
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