Describe what would happen to copper rod if were brought towards a bar magnet suspended from a thread
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer:
The copper rod would not be attracted to or repelled by the magnet. It would remain unaffected unless there is motion involved.
Explanation:
Copper is a non-magnetic metal, which means it is not attracted to magnets in the same way that materials like iron, cobalt, or nickel are. If a copper rod is brought near a bar magnet that is suspended from a thread, and the copper rod is held still, there will be no noticeable interaction between the copper rod and the magnet. The magnet will not swing toward the copper, and the copper will not be pulled toward the magnet.
This is because copper is diamagnetic, meaning it produces a very weak magnetic field in opposition to an external magnetic field. However, this effect is extremely weak and usually not observable without very sensitive instruments. So in practical terms, a stationary copper rod has no effect on the magnet.
However, if the copper rod is moved rapidly near the suspended magnet or vice versa, electromagnetic induction can occur. According to Faraday’s Law of Electromagnetic Induction, a changing magnetic field can induce eddy currents in the copper rod. These eddy currents create their own magnetic field that opposes the motion of the magnet, as described by Lenz’s Law. This causes the magnet to move or swing away slightly, not because of attraction or repulsion in the usual magnetic sense, but due to induced magnetic effects from motion.
In summary, if the copper rod is brought slowly and held still near a bar magnet, nothing will happen—no attraction, no repulsion, and no movement. This is a classic demonstration used to show that non-magnetic conductors like copper do not interact magnetically under static conditions.
