Is a magnet a source of energy?

Question

Lets take a natural magnet.
Certainly we can produce some movement wth it. If we manage the magnetic fields, we can eventually make some use of it. In other words, we will be using the magnet as a source of energy. Like a long life battery.
A small magnet will not have much force, but regarding its life time, the energy released in a long term can be pretty good.
Is there any mechanical device using this force?
How long the magnetic field will be good enough before needing replacement?
Is there any way improove the strength (like taking out that energy faster)
Sorry if this sounds like a stupid question for the experts, but magnets are something that seems to me like totally different from traditional sources.

I know engines use electomagnetic force to rotate, but I want to know about a magnet as the source of power.

What about using combinations of magnets working on a rotative device?

Lets say you have a rotor with 4 magnets attached simetrically around it. All the magnets pointed with the same polarity.

Now, you put 4 static pairs of magnets around the weel. Each pair is disposed like a
Top pair disposed like: V
Right pair disposed like: <
Bottom pair dispossed like: ^
Left pair dispossed like: >

Both external faces have to have same polarity

So, lets say your weel magnets are positive on the left and negative on the right.
Your static magnets pairs are positive on the external face of the "V"

If you move the weel clockwise. Shouldn't it keep moving?

Answer 1

The electric field is representing a radial source of Potential Energy in the fabric of Space.

The magnetic field is a rotating field caused by the motion of the Electric field.,which is also a source of magnetic potential Energy in the fabric of space.

Materials which contain a magnetic field Have inherent potential Energy.
We can use them in the mechanism of electric motors or Generators. Magnetism use in magnets is the Best way to effect(transduce) mechanical power transfer to electrical power. However Just as the second law of thermodynamics predict we cannot extract the same energy out of the magnet continuously with out paying a price. The Permanent magnet in time will degrade.And an electromagnet dies out as its field power is no longer supplied by electric current.
For an intersting explanation of what magnetism is, see the published theory of Milton W. Monson.

Answer 2

A magnet is no more a source of energy than the earth's gravity is a source of energy, or your hand (which can push around objects) is a source of energy. Magnets can be used to convert, for example, mechanical energy into electrical or vice versa, but a magnet can not be used to indefinitely store energy like a chemical battery. Try powering anything with just a permanent magnet without any other source of energy - it won't work. One notable exception are superconducting solenoids that store energy in the form of magnetic fields - those devices (technically electromagnets) can store energy for intermediate time-spans and release energy in the form of electric current.

Answer 3

What is meant by a "source of energy"? Magnetic fields cannot do work on objects because magnetic force is always perpendicular to the direction of motion. Since magnetic fields cannot do work, they cannot alter a particle or objects mechanical energy (cannot change kinetic or potential energy). Where we have electrical potential energy, gravitational potential energy, spring potential energy, and chemical potential energy, we do not have magnetic potential energy. Technically a magnet cannot be seen as a source of energy.

Answer 4

Sure, you can get some energy out of letting a magnet pull something towards it. But it's not much, and then you've got a magnet with something stuck to it. After doing that a couple of times, your magnet is buried inside of all the things you've dropped on it.

Answer 5

it incredibly is from the wiki cite "The doubtless mysterious capacity of magnets to impression action at a distance with none obvious power source has long appealed to inventors. regrettably, a persevering with magnetic field does not do paintings by way of fact the rigidity it exerts on a charged particle is often at perfect angles to its action; a changing field can do paintings, yet demands power to maintain. A "mounted" magnet can do paintings, yet power is dissipated interior the technique, in many circumstances weakening the magnet's power over the years. consequently, whilst a magnet does paintings by capacity of lifting an iron weight, skill power is converted to kinetic power. as quickly as the iron hits the magnet its kinetic power is converted to warmth and sound. with a view to launch further power, the iron could be moved remote from the magnet. This converts the ability of your arm to skill power lower back. by way of fact the ability of parting the magnet and iron is comparable to the ability released by way of fact the magnet and iron come collectively, no internet power would be gained by capacity of adjusting the iron - magnet distance."

Answer 6

Yes very much. Unless strong magnetic field were not there electricity would not have been produced from a generator.

Answer 7

Most people don't realize this but the only force in nature is gravity. Magnets appear to be stronger than 'plain old gravity' because of how gravity has put them together. Just like electricity, it's just another form and effect of gravity. We just put labels on these things as we see them emotionally and then try to explain them cognitively which confuses us.

If everything is gravity, then everything is a source of energy.