magnet slide test should be about conductivity!

[cakepops_]

I want to clarify on that magnet slide test: people often say silver's diamagnetic nature slows the magnet down, but that's actually a mix up.

The real reason is silver's high conductivity. When a magnet slides, it creates tiny 'eddy currents' in the silver.

These currents then create their own magnetic field that pushes back, slowing the magnet down.
More conductive material (like silver) means stronger eddy currents and more resistance.

Less conductive (like copper) means weaker currents and a faster slide.
Diamagnetism just means the magnet doesn't stick, the slowdown is all about conductivity.

There are videos on YT about this that can help you understand, just search eddy currents & lenz's law

 

[SLAIN]

I want to clarify on that magnet slide test: people often say silver's diamagnetic nature slows the magnet down, but that's actually a mix up.

The real reason is silver's high conductivity. When a magnet slides, it creates tiny 'eddy currents' in the silver.

These currents then create their own magnetic field that pushes back, slowing the magnet down.
More conductive material (like silver) means stronger eddy currents and more resistance.

Less conductive (like copper) means weaker currents and a faster slide.
Diamagnetism just means the magnet doesn't stick, the slowdown is all about conductivity.

There are videos on YT about this that can help you understand, just search eddy currents & lenz's law

That's a great breakdown. People throw "diamagnetism" around too loosely, but you explained perfectly how it's really conductivity and eddy currents doing the work. Nice. Somebody please pin this post!

 

[Cleon]

Funny how so many people still blame silver's "diamagnetism" for the slowdown, ignoring basic physics makes you wonder if hands-on science education has really kept up with all these viral myths.