A more effective experimental method is used to analyze the effect of magnetic damping on a nonferromagnetic air track. Due to the continuous interaction between the horizontal air track and the moving magnets fixed on the air-track glider, the experiment can be easily done with low-cost photoelectric detecting techniques. A simple model is proposed based on Faraday’s law, the Lorentz force law, and Ampere’s law. Analytic expressions for the position, the velocity, and the magnetic damping force of the moving magnets as a function of time are obtained. Systematic measurements were performed and the results are in good agreement with the model. The method provides a simple teaching platform for introductory physics demonstrations and undergraduate courses in experimental physics.
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November 2006
PAPERS|
November 01 2006
Investigation of magnetic damping on an air track
Xiao Xie;
Xiao Xie
The College Physical Experiment Center, Department of Applied Physics,
Hunan University
, Changsha 410082, People’s Republic of China
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Zhu-ying Wang;
Zhu-ying Wang
The College Physical Experiment Center, Department of Applied Physics,
Hunan University
, Changsha 410082, People’s Republic of China
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Pingping Gu;
Pingping Gu
The College Physical Experiment Center, Department of Applied Physics,
Hunan University
, Changsha 410082, People’s Republic of China
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Zhi-jian Jian;
Zhi-jian Jian
The College Physical Experiment Center, Department of Applied Physics,
Hunan University
, Changsha 410082, People’s Republic of China
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Xiao-lin Chen;
Xiao-lin Chen
The College Physical Experiment Center, Department of Applied Physics,
Hunan University
, Changsha 410082, People’s Republic of China
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a)
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed; electronic mail: [email protected]
Am. J. Phys. 74, 974–978 (2006)
Article history
Received:
February 09 2006
Accepted:
June 26 2006
Citation
Xiao Xie, Zhu-ying Wang, Pingping Gu, Zhi-jian Jian, Xiao-lin Chen, Zhong Xie; Investigation of magnetic damping on an air track. Am. J. Phys. 1 November 2006; 74 (11): 974–978. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.2232645
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