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ShaunG · Jan 10, 2008, 02:49 AM

Hi Guys

Does anyone know of a material that will insulate magnetic waves? For instance, if I have a magnet and a iron spoon, is there any known material that I can put in-between them as to not let the magnet attract the spoon? Any advise will be greatly appreciated!

Shaun G

asterisk_man · Jan 10, 2008, 06:57 AM

yeah, try another object which is also attracted to the magnet. I believe that if you put an iron sheet between the magnet and the spoon the iron sheet will conduct the magnetic lines of force through itself. The sheet would probably need to be about 2x the length of the spoon and/or magnet though, you'll probably get some 'leakage' on the edges of the sheet.
But this is just my intuitive response, don't have any math to back it up this early in the morning :)

Capuchin · Jan 10, 2008, 10:40 AM

Magnetic fields cannot pass through a superconducting superconductor in the Meissner state or a perfect conductor. However they will just bend around it.

So, to answer your question, an infinite (or large enough to be effectively infinite) sheet of superconducting material or perfectly conducting material will do it.

Magnetic fields pass through normal metal fairly easily.

asterisk_man · Jan 12, 2008, 08:32 AM

I think a faraday cage will block magnetic fields as well as electric fields so surrounding the spoon with a metallic sphere should also work.

aravinth · Jan 20, 2008, 12:42 AM

Glass and epoxy resins can e used to insulate the magnetic effect.

PolluxCastor · Jan 20, 2008, 06:31 PM

The north pole and south pole of a magnet are connected by "magnetic lines of force". A block or sheet of iron or other magnetic material will channel the magnetic field. If the material is thick enough it will contain (block) the field.

Scleros · Mar 22, 2008, 03:35 AM

Originally Posted by ShaunG

Hi Guys

Does anyone know of a material that will insulate magnetic waves? For instance, if i have a magnet and a iron spoon, is there any known material that i can put in-between them as to not let the magnet attract the spoon? Any advise will be greatly appreciated!

Shaun G

If you want to actually experiment with a superconductor, a ceramic one that conducts at liquid nitrogen temperatures made from Yttrium, Barium, and Copper Oxide is fairly easy to do with high school science lab type equipment. Google YBa2Cu3O7 for recipes and instructions. I made one in HS as a science project.