Do stronger magnets hold more paper clips?

Answer 1

Whilst it may seem that since the magnetic field of the horse shoe magnet is responsible for the force between the magnet and the paperclip, it has to be noted that without the paperclip the magnet while retaining it's magnetic field exerts no force, because there is nothing for it to pull on.

A simple example lets take both our magnet and paperclip to the very back end of the universe, somewhere hypothetical where the only force allowed is magnetism (assume gravity no longer exists out here, and with that weight/mass also don't exist. Weight being how much gravity pulls you down onto the weighing scales. So for this experiment the magnet and paperclip "weigh" the exact same 0.00 pounds).

1 Take the paperclip and allow it to float in space.
2 Take the Magnet and hold it in your hand.
3 As the paperclip comes into the field of the magnet, it moves towards the magnet.
Now you didn't move and the magnet didn't move, but the paperclip did. The magnet attracted the paperclip.
Proof that the magnet is the one exerting the force, right?

Lets repeat the experiment but with a slight change.

1 Take the magnet and allow it to float in space.
2 Take the paperclip and hold it in your hand.
3 As the paperclip comes into the magnetic field of the magnet, the magnet moves towards the paperclip.
Again you didn't move, and this time the paperclip didn't move. This time the paperclip attracted the magnet.


Might seem kind of strange now, but not for long.
Here's the thing: 1 thing is certain, if the magnet and paperclip are close together they will try to attach to each other, however,
If the magnet isn't there, nothing happens to the paperclip.
If the paperclip isn't there, nothing happens to the magnet.

From this you can take that without the other, neither object has any force, but when they are near enough together they both act on each other with the same force. Equal and opposite forces to be exact (they pull together) .
Stay with me.
On earth gravity effects the magnet so it never appears to move, it's heavier than a paperclip and so every time it will appear that the paperclip moved.
But back at our hypothetical space experiment we know that it doesn't matter which object isn't allowed to move, if they are near to each other they attract each other equally. I believe the term is they move relative to each other.

Lets repeat the experiment one more time with one more slight change:
1 Take the paperclip and allow it to float in space.
2 Take the magnet and allow it to float in space.
3 Leave them close enough to start attracting each other.

Which one moves now?

Answer is at the bottom, don't cheat, think about it.


If you would Prefer a more maths orientated proof rather than abstract theory, you can always add this question to the Math section.

But to be honest physics is more fun if you try to imagine it.

Good luck.




A: They both move towards each other.