A bar magnet is dropped toward a conducting ring lying on the floor. As the magnet falls toward the ring, does it move as a freely falling object? Explain.

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**Question:**

A bar magnet is dropped toward a conducting ring lying on the floor. As the magnet falls toward the ring, does it move as a freely falling object? Explain.

**Explanation:**

When a bar magnet is dropped toward a conducting ring, it does not move as a freely falling object. Instead, as the magnet approaches the ring, the changing magnetic field induces an electric current in the ring according to Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction. This induced current generates its own magnetic field, which according to Lenz's Law, opposes the change that caused it.

The opposing magnetic field creates a repulsive force on the falling magnet. As a result, the magnet experiences a deceleration that counteracts the acceleration due to gravity, causing it to fall more slowly than it would if it were in free fall. The interaction between the magnetic field and the induced current leads to this deviation from free fall.
Transcribed Image Text:**Question:** A bar magnet is dropped toward a conducting ring lying on the floor. As the magnet falls toward the ring, does it move as a freely falling object? Explain. **Explanation:** When a bar magnet is dropped toward a conducting ring, it does not move as a freely falling object. Instead, as the magnet approaches the ring, the changing magnetic field induces an electric current in the ring according to Faraday's Law of Electromagnetic Induction. This induced current generates its own magnetic field, which according to Lenz's Law, opposes the change that caused it. The opposing magnetic field creates a repulsive force on the falling magnet. As a result, the magnet experiences a deceleration that counteracts the acceleration due to gravity, causing it to fall more slowly than it would if it were in free fall. The interaction between the magnetic field and the induced current leads to this deviation from free fall.
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