Why my simple electromagnetic experiment does not work?

Question

I make a setup (see attached picture).

• ONE coil (1" diameter x ~120 turns), which is separated with a gap, is mount on two sides. Each side has an iron rod (1" diameter x 6" long) to increase the focus of the magnetic wave.The wire for the core is 14 gauge motor wire (5.9 amp power rating max).
• Two super strong magnets (1" diameter x 0.5" thick each) are mount at the middle block (plastic) under Duck tape. Each of them is rated ~40 lbs holding force. Each side of the block has one magnet.
• I use 6 power resistors in series to create 50 ohm resistance. I connect the circuit to wall power 120VAC. Since the impedance of the coil is small, I think I give 2.4 amp @ 60 HZ to the circuit.
• Everything for holding is by very smooth plastic (Acetal Resin).
• Before I connect the power, I put the system at rest. The magnet is so strong that, they make the middle piece to go to either one of the iron.

I thought the MIDDLE PIECE would swing to the left and right with 60Hz. However, the system does NOT move at all. Any idea?

Answer 1

60 Hz is rather fast. While the magnetic fields are strong, the mass (and therefore inertia) of the center magnet is probably so large as to keep it from accelerating quick enough to oscillate at 60 Hz. Try using a power supply with a variable AC output, set to 1 Hz. The mass should probably move in this case. If it doesn't, then there is likely a fault in the setup.

Answer 2

50 ohms total? And the coil resistance is much lower than 50 ohms?

When you apply 120V, the resistors will quickly burn inside. They won't be 50 ohms anymore (need to measure their resistance with a meter.) The resistance becomes high, and the current drops far below 2.4amps.

Resistor power is V^2/R = 120*120/50 = 244 watts, so your twenty-watt resistors may be destroyed within minutes. If they weren't fried instantly, then expect to see smoke. (If resistors remain cold, then there is a broken connection somewhere.)

Perhaps instead of fragile resistors, instead use two 100watt incandescent light bulbs hooked together in parallel, to give 200w/120v = 1.67amp. That, or use a 1200watt electric heater, for 1200/120 = 10amps.

To produce strong magnetic fields, we usually use 120V and thousands of turns of thinner wire (several KG of copper.) That, or use low voltage, fewer turns, and current far higher than 2.4 amps. Need an expensive step-down transformer that provides lower volts at 50amps or 100amps, etc.

Also: to remain alive and not dead, it's wise to perform many, many experiments with batteries, not with 120VAC. If you work with 120VAC, be very very afraid. This tends to keep you safe, but it's not a guarantee.