Could I pick up a human with a strong enough magnet?
Humans contain magnetic materials, such as iron.
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3$\begingroup$ youtube.com/watch?v=A1vyB-O5i6E :) $\endgroup$– dan-rosCommented May 3, 2016 at 13:02
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1$\begingroup$ I think diamagnetism of water would counter the ferromagnetism of iron. $\endgroup$– jinaweeCommented May 3, 2016 at 13:03
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$\begingroup$ Probably, considering the amount of water compared to iron. $\endgroup$– DrathierCommented May 3, 2016 at 13:05
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4$\begingroup$ Related: How strong of magnetic field would noticibly attract a person?, Is it possible to kill a human with a powerful magnet? $\endgroup$– hxriCommented May 3, 2016 at 13:18
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1 Answer
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(Others can correct me if I'm wrong, but...)
I think the answer is no. Not even theoretically. Humans are basically diamagnetic, because they are mostly water.
Therefore, if you got a large enough magnet, you could repel (or levitate) a person with it, but you could not possibly attract a person with it.
Look up the Ignobel Prize for levitating a frog. Levitating a person would be basically the same thing, you would "just" need much more powerful magnets.
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$\begingroup$ so which is the correct answer here, experts ? $\endgroup$– FattieCommented May 3, 2016 at 15:28
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$\begingroup$ Have you seen the videos of magnetically levitated frogs? They are worth watching. $\endgroup$ Commented May 3, 2016 at 18:15