Question

A copper ring is held horizontally and a bar magnet is dropped through the ring with its length along the axis of the ring. Will the acceleration of the falling magnet be equal to or less than or greater than the acceleration due to gravity?

Answer 1

The acceleration of the falling magnet will be less than acceleration due to gravity. This is because the moving magnet will induce an emf in the ring which in turn will produce a flow of current through the ring. This flow of current will be induced in such a way that it will create a magnetic field which would oppose the change and will result in an upward force acting on the bar magnet and hence decreasing the acceleration of the fall.