Question

The attracting and repelling forces of magnets are used in countless objects, from refrigerator doors to maglev trains. Refrigerator doors use the attraction of magnets to stay closed, while maglev trains use magnetic repulsion to hover above rails. The center magnet in the picture is hovering between two magnets, making it appear to float. Which best explains how the center magnet is able to hover between two other magnets?
Responses
A The opposite poles of each magnet are facing each other, so they repel.The opposite poles of each magnet are facing each other, so they repel.
B The magnets are stacked so that similar poles are facing one another.The magnets are stacked so that similar poles are facing one another.
C The middle magnet is repelling the top magnet while attracting the bottom.The middle magnet is repelling the top magnet while attracting the bottom.
D The middle magnet is attracted to the top magnet, but held down by gravity.

Answer 1

The best explanation for how the center magnet is able to hover between two other magnets is:

C. The middle magnet is repelling the top magnet while attracting the bottom.

In this scenario, the repelling force from the top magnet (facing like poles) helps to keep the middle magnet suspended, while the attractive force from the bottom magnet (facing opposite poles) provides a balancing force against gravity.