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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