Two donut-shaped magnets are stacked on top of each other with a wooden dowel in the center. The south poles of the magnets are facing each other. Once the upper magnet is released, it accelerates downward and stops 1 cm above the lower magnet. How does the energy stored in the magnetic field change? (1 point)

Question

Responses

Some of the energy stored is converted into kinetic and thermal energy.
Some of the energy stored is converted into kinetic and thermal energy.

Some of the energy stored is converted into kinetic, thermal, and gravitational energy.
Some of the energy stored is converted into kinetic, thermal, and gravitational energy.

All of the energy stored is converted into kinetic, thermal, and gravitational energy.
All of the energy stored is converted into kinetic, thermal, and gravitational energy.

All of the energy stored is converted into kinetic and thermal energy.

Answer 1

When the upper magnet is released and accelerates downward, it will convert some of the energy stored in the magnetic field into kinetic energy as it moves. As it approaches the lower magnet, the repelling force between the two south poles causes the kinetic energy of the upper magnet to decrease and potentially transforms some kinetic energy back into magnetic potential energy as it comes to a stop 1 cm above the lower magnet.

Additionally, there may also be some conversion of energy into thermal energy due to any friction or deformation that occurs due to interactions at a microscopic level.

However, gravitational energy does not play a significant role in this context since the magnets are being primarily influenced by the magnetic forces between them, rather than the force of gravity.

Thus, the best response is:

Some of the energy stored is converted into kinetic and thermal energy.