Mon Prof Augmenté
Rotor Sorts Metal Scrap
A spinning magnetic rotor creates electric currents inside pieces of aluminium. These currents produce a force that pushes the aluminium forward while other metals fall straight down.
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Age 15: open this week
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In the picture
- Spinning magnetic rotor
- Aluminium fragment arcing forward
- Heavier metal piece falling straight down
- Conveyor belt dropping mixed scrap
Examples
- Recycling plants use this to sort aluminium cans from steel cans.
- Some airport security scanners use changing magnetic fields near metal objects.
Key takeaways
- Eddy currents can be induced in non-magnetic metals such as aluminium.
- The repelling force moves lighter, more conductive pieces farther.
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