SMOT! - (previously about the OC MPMM)

[Omnibus]

@Low-Q,

First learn that Ma > Mb and that Mb > Mc, understand the difference between force and energy, never utter other stupidities such as that at A the steel ball is being repelled by the magnets and so on and then come here to discuss. Instead of being ashamed of yourself and quietly watch what's going on so that you can learn something you're participating in multiple threads arrogantly spewing utter nonsense teaching others what is and what isn't. This has to stop.

[Mr.Entropy]

The Ma versus Mb is something I have actually wondered about.Ã,  From one standpoint A is farther away from the center of the magnets than B, so there should be higher potential magnetic energy at A.Ã,  On the other hand, if A is so far away from the magnet center that it will never get to it, does it have any magnetic potential at all?.

Hi Shrugged,

This is easily solved.Ã,  If you adopt the convention of calling the magnetic potential energy zero when you are far from the magnets, then it is negative close in.Ã,  Same for gravity wells.

Think of it as an energy debt that you must pay in order to escape the attraction.

Tada,

Mr. Entropy

EDIT:  P.S. Omnibus is still wrong :-)

[Omnibus]

@Mr.Entropy,

Don't get @shruggedatlass confused. The convention here is that the zero of the magnetic potential energy is at the magnet exactly the way @shruggedatlass understands it. What she and some others are confused about is the difference between force and energy. I explained it above to her and she should now understand it.

EDIT: Of course, I'm not wrong. Those who confuse force with energy are wrong.

[tinu]

@Low-Q,

First learn that Ma > Mb and that Mb > Mc...

This is just a hypothesis (an erroneous one for SMOT nevertheless), which is supported by nothing else than crappy posts.

[Omnibus]

@tinu,

Restrain from showing your incompetence. You've shown enough.